The 3 acre Organic Farm is located inside the 50 acre WSU Tukey Horticultural Orchard and is 1.5 miles from the main Pullman campus. The Organic Farm operates through the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences while the orchard is run by the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. The Organic Farm was first certified organic in 2004 and remains certified by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. The farm is available for individuals or classes interested in a tour. To arrange a tour, contact: Brad Jaeckel, Farm Manager, phone 509-335-5893.
Pullman Fresh Farm Market Coming May 20 to Pullman
A new “Fresh Farm Market” will launch, Wednesday, May 20 in Pullman. The Market will operate each Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot of the Old Post Office Wine Bar at 245 SE Paradise from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. through Oct. 28. Read more.
Food Safety on the Farm Workshop at WSU Organic Farm, May 28
Food scares have brought food safety concerns to the forefront. Many consumers have turned to local producers looking for a safer food source. With the increase in food borne disease, producers need to ensure customer confidence by addressing potential food safety risks and making certain that the food they produce and sell is safe for human consumption.
In response to the need for a safe food supply, Rural Roots is hosting a series of on-farm workshops to provide hands-on experience in risk assessment and mitigation. This friendly, farmer-to-farmer learning environment will help producers understand where food-borne illness can come into play and will provide them with low-cost options for ensuring food safety. The workshop at the WSU Organic Farm on May 28th, will cover good agricultural practices for harvest, post-harvest handling and direct marketing. Read more.
2009 CSA Shares
The 2009 CSA is now closed for signup. Please email Brad if you’d like to be on the mailing list for next season. Find out more.
Washington State Organic Crop Production Report 2008
The 2008 report profiling organic crop production in Washington State is now available on line here.
Some highlights:
- 689 farms certified (up 10% from 2007)
- 53 farms in transition
- 92,555 acres certified (not including double cropped, up about 18% from 2007
- Eastern Washington had 63% of the number of certified farms, 70% of the acres, and 80% of the farmgate sales.
- Yakima County - highest number of certified farms 108
- Grant County - highest number of certified acres 18,519
- Washington organic farmgate sales (year 2007) $213 million
- Major crops - forages (31% of certified land), vegetables (21%), tree fruit (18%)
- Fraction of state crop acreage that is certified organic
Apples 8%
Pears 6.8%
Cherries 5.6%
Sweet corn 8%
Green peas 13%
Green beans 43%