January 26, 2007
Legislature funds BIOAg program
Capital Press, by Cookson Beecher, Staff Writer
Washington State University will be able to offer the nation’s first organic-farming major and expand its research on sustainable agriculture, thanks to funding from state lawmakers.
During the recent legislative session, legislators voted to fund WSU’s Biologically Intensive and Organic Agriculture program, also known as BIOAg to the tune of $400,000, a one-year appropriation in the supplemental budget.
Advocates say biologically intensive agriculture can reduce the use of costly chemical fertilizers, pest controls and other synthetic farm inputs, thus saving farmers money.
Organic farming is just one example of this type of farming.
The long list of groups in favor of the program include the Washington Cattlemen’s Association, the state’s Wine Grape Growers Association, the state Grange, Tilth Producers, Cascade Harvest Coalition and the Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network.
“They all share an interest in providing growers in our state with new and effective tools to not only sustain the state’s largest industry but also to help it grow and thrive,” said Chris Feise, director of WSU’s Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Pointing out that the organic market nationally continues to grow about 20 percent each year, Feise said conventional growers are eager for effective alternatives to costly and increasingly regulated and restricted chemicals.
In 2003, the value of Washington state’s organic foods industry was $300 million.
Some growers, while not converting completely over to organics, have adopted farming practices that allow them to place eco-friendly labels such as “Salmon Safe” and “The Food Alliance” on their products. This helps them capture niche-market consumers willing to pay higher prices for their food. As a result, interest in eco-labels continues to grow among producers and consumers.
“Interest in sustainability is expanding worldwide with challenges of energy supply, climate change and new pests and diseases,” said David Granatstein, WSU Extension educator and the lead author of the program.
Producers across the state are pleased about the funding for BIOAg.
“As a farmer, I see many new opportunities for methods to increase production and improve my overall farming operation, but I don?t have the support and expertise I need,” said Whatcom County grower Gretchen Hoyt. “I support the program because it gives farmers additional access to grant funds, technical support and presents additional opportunities to partner with the resources and expertise at the university.”
Jack Field, executive vice president of the state’s Cattlemen’s Association, said BIOAg is important to the beef industry because beef raising is a different game than it was 10 or 15 years ago.
One of the changes he’s seen in recent years is the growing interest in grass-fed beef, which Field said requires a lot of know-how about grazing systems and forage production.
“It’s not just about turning a cow out on the back 40,” he said. “There’s a lot of management that needs to be done if you’re going to do it right and earn a profit. We get a lot of calls about it. We see BIOAg as an opportunity to get more information and education out there to the producers.”
Vicky Scharlau, executive director of the state’s Association of Wine Grape Growers, is equally pleased about the funding.
“We’ve been working on a sustainable guide for viticulture for three years,” she said. “BIOAg is another brick in the wall in building a house of sustainability.”
Maryon Atwood, director of the Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network, calls the funding “a much-needed shot in the arm” for producers of all sizes.
“With growers struggling with rising input costs and global competition, this program enables them to take advantage of the huge opportunity in organic and sustainable production”, she said.
Rep. Kelli Linville, D-Bellingham, who championed the funding, said this year’s appropriation is the first step in expanding BIOAg research in Washington state.