January 11, 2005
Congress Revs Up Organic Research at WSU
BELLINGHAM—Research on organic farming practices in Washington will increase significantly due to new funding in the federal budget. The budget recently passed by Congress includes a $362,000 appropriation for organic research at Washington State University through WSU’s Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash) championed the appropriation with the support of other members of the state’s congressional delegation. Over the past two years, Congress appropriated $325,000 for organic research at WSU. This year’s appropriation brings the total federal funding to more than $700,000.
“WSU has the potential to lead the way on organic farming in Washington. With these funds, WSU can respond to the growing demand for scientific information on organic farming techniques that reduce reliance on pesticides and help growers get into higher-value markets,” said Bonnie Rice, Director of the Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network (WSFFN), a broad-based, statewide advocacy group for sustainable and organic agriculture and family farms.
The Congressional funding will help to meet the needs of a growing industry. In 2003, the value of the state’s organic food industry was approximately $300 million, and the demand continues to grow for more organic products. The federal funds are being used for such innovative projects as organic seed production, weed management in organic tree fruit and dryland wheat production, developing and testing new varieties for organic systems, testing alternatives to plastic mulch, and outreach and education.
“Recent surveys have shown there is tremendous interest on the part of the research community to investigate biologically-based pest control methods. These funds will help us identify the ones that are most promising,” said Anne Schwartz, organic grower and vice-president of Tilth Producers of Washington.
Rice pointed out that the research will benefit conventional as well as organic farmers. “Growers need research now that helps them to meet environmental regulations. All growers can benefit from these research funds.”
The funds will be used as part of WSU’s Biologically Intensive and Organic Agriculture (BIOAg) initiative. BIOAg is a comprehensive program on organic and biologically-based agriculture that will encompass research, teaching and extension areas of WSU, including the first organic farming major at a higher education institution in the United States. WSFFN has worked with several members of Washington’s congressional delegation to build support for the program and secure funding over the past three years.
Chris Feise, Director of WSU’s Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, applauded the award. “Washington state growers are working hard to move toward using more sustainable, biologically-based methods. These federal funds will allow WSU to respond to growers’ needs with cutting-edge research and demonstrations of successful alternatives.” The BIOAg program is helping more WSU faculty to get involved in organic farming research and education, with nearly 50 people now in WSU’s Organic Agriculture Working Group.
In addition to working for federal funding of the BIOAg program, sustainable agriculture advocates are lobbying the state legislature for $4 million for the 2005-7 biennium to really get the program off the ground. Goldie Caughlan, spokesperson for PCC Natural Markets, Washington’s largest natural food store chain with nearly 40,000 member households, called for the Washington state legislature to provide significant funding for the BIOAg program. “These federal funds provide a good start so WSU can develop a program focused on biologically-based and organic production methods. We will continue to look to the state legislature for full funding so WSU can provide the research that growers need on organic and biologically-based farming methods.”
In addition to WSFFN and PCC Natural Markets, support for the federal appropriation came from Tilth Producers of Washington, the Washington State Dept. of Agriculture, the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association, Small Planet Foods, Bejo Seeds and Bio-Oregon, Inc.
CONTACT:
Bonnie Rice, Director, Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network,
info~at~wsffn.org, (360) 527-9426
Chris Feise, WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources, (253) 445-4626
Goldie Caughlan, PCC Natural Markets, (206) 547-1222 x 115
Anne Schwartz, Tilth Producers of Washington, (360) 853-8449