Washington State Department of Agriculture
Introducing WSDA’s new Market and Incentives Specialist
Dani Gelardi, in conversation with Emily Amaral Whittier
March 2, 2026
Author: Dani Gelardi, WSDA
While many producers are eager to adopt conservation practices to improve their soil health, significant economic barriers can include upfront costs, uncertain returns, and volatile transition periods. Diverse, well-designed incentives can reduce risk, increase access, and improve the ability for growers to experiment with new practices that improve soil health and reduce environmental impacts. Incentives can include supply chain rewards, new direct-to-consumer markets, grants and cost-share programs, regulatory relief, progressive agricultural lending or insurance, among other economic initiatives.
These projects can help align stewardship with farm viability, ensuring conservation is both feasible and rewarding.
When the Washington Soil Health Initiative was signed into law in 2020 (RCW 15.145), the Legislature directed the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to create opportunities for participating producers to benefit from the emerging market for Washington food products grown under good soil health stewardship. We heard a similar call from producers during our Soil Health Roadmap engagement, who identified clear milestones, including: 1) Economic improvements are experienced by producers through soil health practices, and 2) Soil health is valued in the marketplace in ways that support thriving businesses and communities.
Meeting these milestones requires targeted focus on identifying and developing incentives for conservation across the public and private sectors. That’s where Emily Whittier comes in. Emily, WaSHI’s new Market and Incentives Specialist, has joined WSDA to support the adoption of conservation practices on Washington farms through economic development. We sat down with Emily to discuss her background and her new role here at WSDA.
What inspired you to pursue a career in agriculture?
I grew up in rural New Hampshire, with a small assortment of livestock. I started 4-H at a young age and was exposed to different types of agriculture early on. I was initially drawn to it because I loved spending time with animals, but grew to understand and appreciate the way food and agriculture are intricate systems that impact everything around us. My food systems career began in food security when I served an AmeriCorps term at Second Harvest in Pasco, Washington. Later, I interned on a farm in Palouse, WA, that worked with Washington Farm to Food Bank programs. Supporting farms and farmers is a critical element of a secure food supply for all, so after pursuing my Master’s in food and agriculture law and policy, I shifted to work in community food systems and Extension agricultural support.
I love that working in agriculture requires us to be innovative, responsive, and ultimately, hopeful.
Can you share a bit about your background and expertise in producer support?
I joined WSU Extension in 2021 as a Farm Stress Coordinator, and in 2022, started working for the AgrAbility program through the same position. In that role, I provided outreach and education to producers and agricultural communities, with a focus on addressing the physical and mental stressors of life in farming and ranching. In 2024, I transitioned to coordinating Washington State’s efforts under the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center. Our work focused on helping small and mid-scale producers scale up, access markets, and improve their business viability by connecting them to resources and funding. I also have experience working as a legal clinician and serving as a fellow for a national farm conservation organization. I enjoy diving deep into the weeds of a topic or a problem with the purpose of making information clearer and actionable for the people it impacts.
What do you see as the biggest challenge for you in your new role as the Market and Incentives Specialist with WaSHI? How do you plan on tackling this challenge?
We see ongoing interest from producers of all kinds in implementing growing practices that build resilience into their operations. Farmers are on the frontlines of fluctuating weather events, unpredictable markets, and supply chain volatility. At the same time, implementing new practices can come at a cost, and we’re operating in a very resource-limited environment where funding opportunities can be difficult to come by. However, many consumers and markets share the value of stewarding our natural resources and farmland. I believe we can be successful by identifying opportunities to align the goals of producers with the supply chain needs and funding goals.
Tell us about your upcoming plans at WSDA and WaSHI.
My position will be focused on finding, creating, and promoting economic incentives for soil health practices on Washington farms. I look forward to working with National STAR and STAR affiliate states to expand the program in Washington State. I also look forward to finding the many ways STAR and other incentives can support and be integrated into existing programs at WSDA and across Washington. Our team is in a very exploratory stage, looking at everything from crop insurance reform, tax incentives, and working with the private sector.
We’re fortunate to live in a state with not only a strong and diverse agricultural economy, but a community of producers, organizations, and service providers dedicated to supporting Washington farms. I look forward to nurturing opportunities to collaborate towards shared goals and moving forward stronger together.
Are you an NGO, local jurisdiction, or private sector actor interested in supporting growers to adopt conservation practices? Reach out with questions, ideas, or collaborations: WaSHI@agr.wa.gov
Dani Gelardi
Senior Soil Scientist and WaSHI Lead, Washington State Department of Agriculture
This article was published by the Washington Soil Health Initiative. For more information, visit wasoilhealth.org. To have these posts delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to the WaSHI newsletter. To find a soil science technical service provider, visit the Washington State University Extension website or the Washington State Conservation District website.