Washington State Department of Agriculture

$2.7 million in grants awarded to strengthen Washington state’s local food system

OLYMPIA – Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has awarded $2.7 million in Local Food System Infrastructure Grants to unlock new sales channels for local farmers, lower costs for small ...
agr.wa.gov

Starting a Cottage Food Business in Washington State

If you’ve ever thought about selling homemade baked goods, jams, or specialty treats, Washington State’s Cottage Food Program offers a way to legally run a small food business from your home kitchen.
agr.wa.gov

Making a difference with food waste prevention

Food waste is a massive issue in the U.S. In fact, up to 38% of all food produced in the country goes uneaten. The impact of this waste extends far beyond individual households: Economic loss: A ...
agr.wa.gov

WSDA confirms HPAI in Grant County

OLYMPIA – October 10, 2025 – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) confirms Grant County’s first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or H5N1), commonly known as bird ...
agr.wa.gov

State and federal entomologists confirm new Asian giant hornet detection in Snohomish County

OLYMPIA – Entomologists from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have confirmed the first report of an Asian giant hornet for 2021. This ...
agr.wa.gov

Washington cats confirmed with HPAI as investigation into contaminated pet food continues

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is alerting pet owners that at least two domestic, indoor cats in King and Snohomish counties in Washington have become infected with ...
agr.wa.gov

Grocery prices a top concern among Washington consumers

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Groceries were the most common expense reported as hard to afford in the past month, followed by housing, according to the latest WAFOOD survey. Rising food prices and the expiration ...
agr.wa.gov

Washington achieves stage 4 status in NMTS program: Dairy herds free of HPAI

Olympia — Washington State has reached Stage 4 status in the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) program, confirming that no cases of bird flu or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) have been ...
agr.wa.gov

WSDA entomologists eradicate first Asian giant hornet nest

BLAINE – Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) entomologists successfully eradicated an Asian giant hornet nest by vacuuming the hornets out of the nest Saturday, Oct. 24, just two days ...
agr.wa.gov

What horse owners need to know about Equine Herpes Virus

The equine community in Spokane County is on high alert after two horses tragically succumbed to the neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1), also known as Equine Herpesvirus ...
agr.wa.gov

State eradicates first Asian giant hornet nest of 2021, asks public to continue reporting

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) eradicated the first Asian giant hornet nest of the year on Wednesday, Aug. 25. The nest was located in the base of a dead alder tree in ...