WACD Reading List

The first invasive yellow-legged hornet found on the west coast has been spotted in Vancouver. The hornet is capable of decimating honey bee colonies.

El Niño is emerging even faster than expected in the Pacific Ocean and odds are increasing that it could become historically strong — a rare “Super” El Niño — by fall or winter.

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will contact more than 90,000 producers to determine crop acreage and stock levels for its June Agricultural Survey. “The June Agricultural Survey is one of […]

Thurston County issued a toxic algae advisory for Lake Lawrence after microcystin levels tested 45.9 µg/L; avoid water, keep pets away, and don't eat lake fish.

Oregon’s first big fire of the year began in March and the season is expected to run through October, experts said.

The Washington Department of Ecology has finished a 12-chapter paper on agricultural “best management practices,” a years-long project that walks a fine line between advice and rules. Ecology titles the […]

Two examples of a rare bird species have made their way back to North Central Washington this year.

The U.S. Forest Service’s plan to close scores of research stations could threaten the nation’s wildfire readiness, many foresters fear, and erode decades of work to understand timber production, soil health, pests and diseases, watersheds and wildlife.

The Associated Press and Grist have collaborated on a project to analyze how federal policy changes on energy are affecting farmers. They found that two programs critical for renewable energy growth have been sharply rolled back. One is a rural-focused initiative called REAP. The other is a clean energy tax credit. The news organizations found that in the fiscal year that started Oct. 1, the Department of Agriculture hasn’t awarded a single dollar in rural energy grants or loan guarantees. Its loan guarantee program has remained open, but the analysis found that the agency has awarded no new agreements this fiscal year.

On Wednesday morning, Washington state declared a statewide drought.

The National Weather Service’s seasonal outlook predicts the Northwest will be hotter and drier than normal for the next three months and probably for the rest of the year. The […]

By Douglas Poole

The state’s three public lands agencies all had their budgets cut this year.

Plowing, or tilling, is an age-old agricultural practice that readies the soil for planting by turning over the top layer to expose fresh earth. The method—intended to improve water and nutrient circulation—remains popular today, but concerns about soil degradation have prompted some to return to regenerative methods that disturb the soil less.

How to plan and protect yourself in areas at risk of wildfires.

Ag groups applaud act, Oregon Congresswoman says specialty crops left behind The House Agriculture Committee passed the 802-page farm bill 34-17 early the morning of March 5, after a 22-hour […]

The Bureau of Reclamation projects Yakima River basin irrigators with junior water-rights will get only 44% of their full allotments this summer, an early forecast that could go up or […]

Washington state’s Department of Natural Resources is developing wildfire risk and hazard maps. It’s an effort to help the state and local communities better prepare for wildfires.

Event draws 750 people to Oregon State University campus CORVALLIS, Ore. — While the Oregon State University Extension Service Small Farms Conference on Feb. 21 had a plethora of educational […]

In drought-stricken Australian fields, crops that were reduced to dust are being revived thanks to an unlikely agricultural product.

Bird species are on the decline across the U.S. for all different reasons, including habitat loss. But a new program in Washington hopes to create bird habitat by using ranches.

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Patrick Bell took over as the new state executive director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Washington Jan. 6. “I’ve been a strong, consistent supporter of […]

High performers often struggle after promotion. Here’s how leadership communication, clarity and context separate effective managers from overwhelmed teams.

Washington ranked 50th in the nation for returns to farm operators in 2024, with nearly -$295 million. WSU financial advisor Jon Paul Driver says the driving force is a strong U.S. dollar.