BIOAg Campaign
Campaign Overview
Current Campaign—WSU's Biologically Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming (BIOAg) Program
Right now, the Network is working to secure $800,000 in state funds for a comprehensive, innovative program on biologically intensive organic agriculture and organic farming at Washington State University (www.csanr.wsu.edu/BIOAg/#proposals). The Biologically Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming Program, or BIOAg Program, addresses the need for economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially responsible solutions that work for Washington growers and farm workers, and that meet the public demand for healthy, local food. This new program will establish WSU as a visionary, forward-thinking national leader in support of sustainable and organic agriculture. It includes the nation's first organic farming major at a 4-year higher education institution. Click here to find out how you can help!
In the 2005 legislative session, the Network's statewide organizing campaign made important strides in building legislative support for the Biologically Intensive and Organic Farming Program and paving the way for funding in this year's session:
- In 2005 the legislature sent a clear message to WSU in the state budget language that they should prioritize sustainable agriculture: "The University shall give consideration to reprioritizing agricultural research funding to allow for expansion of the center for precision agricultural systems and development of the biologically-intensive and organic agriculture program."
- As a result of the legislative directive above, WSU has committed to hiring a full-time coordinator for the Biologically Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming program by February 2006, to ensure that research information on sustainable farming methods gets out to farmers and ranchers on the ground.
- The Network formed new partnerships and gained support from a broad base of organizations across the state, ranging from the Direct Seed Association to the Cattle Producers of Washington and Physicians for Social Responsibility.
- For the past four years, the Network and WSU's Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Agriculture have worked together to secure almost $1 million in new federal dollars from USDA for the Biologically Intensive and Organic Farming Program at WSU—for organic research projects. This seed money for research has gotten the BIOAg Program off the ground, but significantly more funds are needed for a fully integrated and implemented program to make an impact on the agricultural practices of the producers in our state, where more than 200 different commodities are grown.
- The Network and WSU will work as a team in the 2006 legislative session from January 9th to March 9th 2006 to achieve $800,000 of state funding support for the Biologically Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming Program.
What is biologically intensive agriculture? WSU's BIOAg Fact Sheet
Action Alert: Expanded with Background Information
WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources web site
BIOAg in the Media:
—Smart investments, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
—WSU organic research re-funded by Congress, Capital Press
—Growers of organic fruit need a boost from research, Wenatchee World