WSDA

According to the Washington State Department of Agriculture, homeowners who live in a previous Japanese beetle treatment area in Yakima or Benton counties can now give consent and sign up for 2025 Japanese beetle treatments.  WSDA said southcentral Washington homeowners can get these free treatments by getting a consent form, either in English or in Spanish, filling it out and returning it to the

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has confirmed the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza this year in a commercial poultry operation.  The WSDA says a commercial farm in Franklin County reported high numbers of sudden deaths in chickens on Friday, October 11th.  In addi...

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is investigating a possible northern giant hornet sighting in the Burley area near Port Orchard.  This invasive species is a known predator of honeybees.  The northern giant hornet is the largest hornet in the world, measuring up to 2 inches long.  This invasive spe...

The Washington State Department of Agriculture state veterinarian’s office has confirmed the presence of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus type 2, better known as RHDV2, in rabbits on Lopez and Orcas Islands in San Juan County.  RHDV2 is a highly contagious, fatal disease of rabbits.  The rabbits s...

Governor Jay Inslee has proclaimed October 2nd as Taste Washington Day.  Annette Slonim with the Washington State Department of Agriculture said historically, the event takes place the first Wednesday in October as a way to celebrate the foods grown in the Evergreen state and served in school lunchrooms.   “...

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has expanded the Japanese beetle quarantine in the south-central portion of the state.  The original quarantine was established in 2022 and included 49 square miles in the Grandview area.  But, be...

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is considering establishing a quarantine of untreated out-of-state firewood.  The Department is looking to prevent the introduction of plant pests and bee pests.  The movement of firewood containing plant pests and bee pests poses a threat to Washington’s forests, agricultural, and environmental interests.  Eggs, larvae, and ...

While no detections have been reported this year, the Washington State Department of Agriculture is asking everyone to be on the lookout for the Northern Giant Hornet.  Formerly known as the Asian Giant, the Northern Giant is the world’s largest hornet, coming in at 1.5”-2” in length...

If you’re interested in participating in the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s new Compost Reimbursement Program, you still have time.  Applications will be accepted until September 12th.  All commercial Washington farmers – including those in agriculture, silviculture and aquaculture – are eligible for the program.   Participating farms are eligible f...

Starting Thursday, the Washington State Department of Agriculture will accept applications for the 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant.  Grant awards will range from $25,000 to $250,000 per project and projects may last for up to three years.  WSDA’s ...