BIOAg Campaign

Sustainable Farming Practices

The Network's Sustainable Farming Practices Program works to improve the environmental and economic sustainability of Washington's farms by increasing the knowledge and use of sustainable and organic farming practices "on the ground."

We also work to increase state and federal support for family farms. We believe that family farms using good stewardship practices are a key part of a sustainable food system. Family farms are much more likely to invest in the land and community around them for the long term, than are global agribusiness operations.

How the Network promotes sustainable and organic farming practices:

• We work with Washington State University
• We work with regional and national partners to influence the Farm Bill
• We work with a broad-based coalition of partners to make state policy changes in food and farming practices in Washington.

The Network's primary strategy to foster greater knowledge and use of sustainable and organic farming practices is by working with Washington State's "land grant" college (1). Washington State University (WSU). As our main public agricultural research and education institution, WSU plays a key role in determining the future of agriculture in Washington State.

Since 1997, the Network has been a strong advocate for a greater emphasis and programs at WSU on sustainable and organic agriculture and independent family farms. Over the past five years, the Network has been successful in working with WSU administrators to increase its support of sustainable and organic agriculture and small farms. Beginning in the late 1990's with the Letter of Mutual Commitment between the Network and WSU, our advocacy efforts have resulted in new research, teaching and outreach programs at WSU that promote and support sustainable, organic and small farmers. For more details on these programs and our accomplishments, click here.

The Network also co-sponsors organic seminars and workshops at WSU, such as the January 2004 workshop on organic grain production. This successful event brought nearly 100 producers and buyers together to discuss how buyers could obtain more Washington organic wheat and other grains.

⁽¹⁾  Land-grant universities are publicly funded educational institutions specializing in agriculture. They are required to be responsive to the needs of the communities they reside within. Founded in 1862 by the Morrill Act, the mission of land-grant universities is to make higher education accessible to everyone and to benefit "agriculture and the mechanical arts." ) Back to reference