Dani Gelardi Posts

  • STAR Program Bulletin: Enrollment, Hiring, and Partnerships

    The STAR (Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources) program is gaining traction in Washington and beyond-providing a free, science-based tool to evaluate the conservation impact of farm management practices. Developed in response…

  • WSDA’s Compost Reimbursement Program Closes, But Soil Health Momentum Lives On

    After two impactful years of supporting compost use on Washington farms, the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) Compost Reimbursement Program will sunset on June 30, 2025. As the program…

  • WSDA Releases Climate Resilience Plan for Washington Agriculture

    Climate change creates new challenges for Washington agriculture, including extreme weather, wildfires, flooding, increased pest pressure, worker safety risks, and water supply volatility. However, Washington’s diverse geographies, cropping systems, state…

  • Irrigation in a potato field.

    How the State Climate Resilience Strategy Supports Agricultural Viability

    The Washington State Climate Resilience Strategy has officially been released, replacing the 2012 version with the latest science and with specific, measurable actions that state agencies are committed to taking.…

  • a tractor in a field with a cow.

    Climate Commitment Act update

    The Climate Commitment Act funds new programs to support composting, methane capture, and biochar, some producers got hit with unexpected fuel surcharges—even though they’re supposed to be exempt. Now, the Agricultural Support Program is offering $28.5 million in payments to those who were wrongly charged.

  • a hand digging in a pile of biochar.

    Beyond the biochar hype—how to decide if it’s right for you

    Biochar: is it the silver bullet for soil health, or just another piece of the puzzle? In this wrap-up of our biochar series, we dive into key takeaways from recent research. It’s clear that biochar’s effectiveness varies widely—its success depends on factors like feedstock, soil type, and specific farm needs.

  • a person standing in a farm field.

    Introducing the new WaSHI Agronomist

    Adam joins the Washington Soil Health Initiative to support growers in efficiently managing their fertilizer and irrigation. Adam’s efforts will help reduce nitrate leaching, improve growers’ cost savings, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Washington.