WaSHI Annual Report FY25
Soil Health Ambassador Program
Launched in 2023, the Soil Health Ambassador Program celebrates producers committed to soil health on their farms and in their communities. Here are a few ways the Soil Health Ambassador Program fosters peer-to-peer learning.
- Sharing the stories of producers who have successfully implemented soil health practices.
- Informational videos and fact sheets, shared through our extensive social media and newsletter presence.
- Ambassadors support other producers interested in adopting the practice.
- Creating a network of Soil Health Ambassadors across regions, cropping systems, and practices.
- Soil Health Ambassadors receive a $1000 stipend for their time and are available to support other farmers interested in adopting a similar practice.
Tyler Morse from Brier Patch Farm
Tyler finds composting a powerful tool for
building soil health and has enjoyed the fun
adventure of making his own. He has seen
benefits of compost addition for soil health in
his market gardening style of farming.
Maynard Mallonee from Mallonee Family Farms
A third-generation farmer, Maynard uses diverse pasture plantings, such as cover crops and crop rotation, to improve their soil health and livestock health. Healthier cows mean lower costs and higher outputs.
Reid Wilson from Hedges Family Farm
Reid is rethinking soil management under the grape vines in his vineyards, utilizing a slew of practices including cover cropping, berm removal, and integrating chickens for weed control.
Producers interested in connecting with a current Ambassador or becoming a Soil Health Ambassador can email WaSHI@agr.wa.gov. WaSHI aims to highlight and uplift the voices of minorities, women, and indigenous producers across the state, and welcomes these communities to participate.
Leslie Michel
Washington State Department of Agriculture