Pacific Northwest

WSU CAHNRS interim dean to be Rick Koenig

Rich Koenig has been named interim dean of the Washington State Univerity College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, effective July 1, following an open, internal search. He will assume the position of acting... more »

COVID-19 farm rules repeal urged for Washington state farms, workers

Washington state’s leading agricultural groups are appealing to Gov. Jay Inslee to repeal recently renewed COVID-19 emergency rules for farm workers using temporary housing following his announcement that the state will loosen restrictions for fully... more »

Ag workers in Washington state would become eligible for overtime

Agricultural workers in Washington state would become eligible for overtime pay under a bill signed May 11 by Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee, drawing praise from President Joe Biden. According to media reports, Senate Bill 5172... more »

Workplace protections, including no bunk beds, extended in Oregon

Oregon OSHA has adopted a rule to maintain risk-reducing safety measures for workers across the state against the coronavirus. Although the rule includes several changes based on the public comments received since the rule was... more »

Washington State University weather service gets new director

Washington State University's AgWeatherNet system has been growing rapidly in the last few years. Professor Lav Khot was named interim director of AgWeatherNet with the goal of maintaining the momentum of that growth and increasing... more »

Postharvest life of perishables pursued by RipeLocker with $5M buy-in

RipeLocker, a Seattle, Washington-based company specializing in extending the postharvest life of perishables, announced April 21 it has raised $5 million in series B capital from angel investors. The investment round is all from previous... more »

‘Common sense ruling’ goes in favor of Washington farm labor managers

Yakima County Superior Court Judge Blaine Gibson ruled in favor of agriculture groups, prohibiting the state of Washington from enforcing unreasonable emergency COVID-19 regulations farm leaders say don’t incorporate best science, the arrival of vaccines,... more »

Water shortages throughout California seen as drought spreads

The 2020-21 California drought has led to significant water cutbacks, compelling farmers to fallow ground and public officials to respond with legislation intended to address the state's chronic water shortages. Farmers in more parts of... more »