Get the Scoop with the WaSHI Blog

A tractor is mowing the grass in a field.

Soil Health Ambassador: Kesler Farms — Pasture Intercropping

Intercropping is frequently done in row crops, with two or more crops planted together. The Kesler’s have adopted the practice to improve their grass hay pasture. Intercropping benefits the soil by utilizing multiple species that provide different resources and nutrient demands and input than the main crop.

Six people standing near a Washington State University tent in a vineyard. One person wearing a red shirt has a microphone.

With Grape Ideas Comes Grape Collaboration

Members of the wine and juice grape community are heavily involved in this long-term research project, leading to collaborations with scientists, extension specialists, commercial wine and juice grape growers, crop advisors, viticulturists, vineyard managers, and others.

A field with different types of crops.

Cover Cropping “Aventures” with Dad

Just like his dad, my three-and-a-half-year-old boy loves the garden and all the things we grow in it. A favorite part of my job is the opportunity to put my boots in the fields of my home area and when I get to bring my boy Jack along for an “aventure,” as he would say.

A tractor pulling a tank driving through a field.

One year into Washington’s Climate Commitment Act: Impacts on Agriculture

As written, the CCA exempts agriculture from many of its rules. This includes the requirements to report GHG emissions, and to participate in the quarterly cap-and-invest auctions in which Washington businesses must purchase the right to emit GHGs. Nevertheless, agriculture is still substantially impacted by the law’s economic and environmental effects. In fact, the CCA has ushered in many benefits and challenges to Washington agriculture since its launch on January 1st, 2023.

The soil orders as people will find around the holiday table this year.

The Soil Orders as People You will Find Around the Holiday Table This Year

Who will you be sitting next to?

A diagram illustrating the process of increasing soil organic matter in a database.

Putting Numbers to the Difficult Task of Increasing Soil Organic Matter

You may know that it is difficult to increase soil organic matter, but how difficult is it, with numbers? Let’s do some rough calculations so you know what to expect. The task is difficult, but the math is easy, I promise.

a tractor pulling a compost spreader through a field.

Where the Magic Happens: Climate-Smart Practices Funded through Sustainable Farms and Fields Program

This is one of only a handful of state programs in the U.S. helping agricultural producers be part of the climate solution and achieve co-benefits such as improving soil health.

cows in a field.

Producer Spotlight: Blue Slate Ranch — Bale Grazing

Bale grazing is a method of feeding livestock during the winter. Bales are placed across a pasture or paddock rather than in one location

A green field with a green truck in the background.

What’s weighing down your soil?

With soil acidification, the aluminum within the soil complex is released into the soil solution, where it affects plant health.

a person standing near piles of steaming compost.

New WSDA Compost Reimbursement Program

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has launched a new program that reimburses farmers for compost-related expenses.