Pacific Northwest
Washington state farmworker housing rules increase worker safety
New emergency rules adopted May 13 regarding temporary farmworker housing will help increase worker safety and reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The rules detail specific steps required at farms where temporary workers live in... more »
USDA destroying flowers to eradicate Ralstonia bacteria
Federal officials are working with greenhouses in 39 states to destroy infected pink geraniums and prevent an invasive bacterium from infecting vegetable crops. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently confirmed a Ralstonia... more »
Labor housing, farm operations in Oregon targeted in temporary rule
Oregon OSHA has adopted a temporary rule to increase protections for workers against the spread of coronavirus in employer-provided housing and in labor-intensive farm operations. The temporary rule, which takes effect May 11, 2020, addresses... more »
Washington state farmworker housing ’emergency rules’ pursued
Many Washington state farmers rely on foreign workers through the federal H-2A work visa program to harvest their crops. However, the Washington State Department of Health and the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) are... more »
Operational changes seen as Washington state farmers’ markets open
The Proctor Farmers' Market in Tacoma, Washington, was supposed to open for the season almost a month ago. When it didn’t, Scott Gruber, president of the market’s board and a longtime vendor who has depended... more »
Washington State University program helps farmers grow their operations
How does a small farm in Clallam, Jefferson, or Kitsap County plan to finance and expand its business into a regional market? What can farmers do to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions from their... more »
Honey Bee & Pollinator Research facility officially opens in Washington state
Washington State University (WSU) celebrated the opening of its new Honey Bee & Pollinator Research, Extension and Education Facility March 6 with a formal ribbon cutting and self-guided tours of the building. “This new facility... more »
Washington state gets $1.9M from USDA for pest management
USDA is allocating $1.9 million to Washington state as part of its effort to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, and threat mitigation, and to safeguard the U.S. nursery production system.... more »
Current Issue
Veg Connections: Heat-tolerant broccolini can integrate with clover living mulch
Farm market survey shows labor, input costs driving farm market pricing
Bedner’s: Popular South Florida agritourism, farm market destination
Organic Grower: Good Humus Produce’s community mindset
Workforce solutions: best practices
Ag Labor Review: Bridging the political divide
Farm Market & Agritourism: Effective methods for collecting customer data
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