[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6356974,"mediaKeyId","2215680-8084ed41e3ad3d67f3cbbd5ad037ad72","parentId",2215680,"title","Committee hears bill to allow agritourism as incidental use on open‑space land","audioSeconds",736,"startMs",593000,"endMs",1329000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215680-8084ed41e3ad3d67f3cbbd5ad037ad72&start=593&end=1329","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215680-8084ed41e3ad3d67f3cbbd5ad037ad72/thumbnail_593000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6356974/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-allow-agritourism-as-incidental-use-on-openspace-land","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6356974-71b1969641cdd9a2da872ba523a46607/orig.mp4?Expires=1775127032&Signature=csYyRV0CcRV2AKCKWAgGr2R-UG1joPrOMjo9Os2UztRgd2649f-QKm9ipo1ywwqWPfvJCmPBaVNd9JXAJyVaaKZnJmSQMMgnVEBH3HXPyub8VtXl84UP6jkQk6DLOPNCmv7gMe4IgSJLy4w4zaoA2jS3EhefOguooolQ2K0THWnC4d1Nb2bYuT7CVlKGHQNxG0jSp1xQZV1VBAH25GY--WC7MkFu3jfjS0lcihLq9qi1jbHT-SvPhjmJRluWujqIs9Njb7aJ~QxCM-vVhZiISW7O3mmSHasmMMQRaFxlOfhUQBc~AWeyUO16fEv5ORNBlgVKhd61HyROgjrbn5BngQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources","date","2025-02-03T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 5479 received a public hearing in the Washington State Senate Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee. The bill would add agritourism activities to the list of allowable incidental uses for farm and agricultural land that qualify for current‑use property tax valuation, and it would change the penalty and certain administrative rules for removal from the program.

Committee staff summarized the proposal: under the state’s current‑use valuation, lands used primarily for commercial agriculture may include incidental uses that do not exceed 20% of classified land. SB 5479 would expressly permit agritourism activities — defined in the bill to include educational programs, hospitality services, self‑guided tours, farm festivals, corn mazes, self‑harvest operations, hay rides, horseback riding, fishing, camping, petting zoos, barn parties and “celebratory gatherings” such as weddings — provided those activities remain incidental and compatible with production. The bill would also allow de minimis supporting alterations, such as small structures and gravel parking lots, and would reduce the back‑tax lookback period used when land is removed from current use from seven years to four years. A fiscal note estimates implementation costs at about $75,000 for the upcoming biennium.

Sponsor remarks emphasized rural economic survival. Senator Elias (21st Legislative District) said high land values near urban edges make it difficult for small farms to remain viable and that “these agritourism activities… are incidental but really valuable to keeping these farms in operation.” He said the bill aims to clarify how assessors should treat modest visitor‑oriented uses so small farmers are not imperiled by unexpected back taxes.

Farmers and local officials testified in favor. Brad Tower of the Washington Christmas Tree Growers said the current‑use valuation is central to the retirement plans and survival of family farms and that involuntary removal with a seven‑year lookback can be financially devastating. Josh Weiss, representing Snohomish County, told the committee the bill is a priority for the county and its assessor and that agritourism helps county farm economies. During the hearing committee staff noted an Internet outage interrupted remote testimony; the committee continued the hearing to allow remote participants another opportunity to testify. The staff roll call recorded 355 sign‑in responses: 69 pro and 286 con; the chair continued the hearing to a later date so remote witnesses could be heard.

Members asked whether the bill overrides local zoning; the sponsor and staff both said the bill addresses current‑use tax classification, not local land‑use/zoning authority, and local regulations would still apply.

The committee did not take a vote on SB 5479 at this hearing and continued the public hearing to permit additional remote testimony.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources - 2/3/2025 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 5479 would add agritourism to allowable incidental uses for property taxed under the state’s open‑space/current‑use program and reduce the penalty lookback period to four years, committee staff said during a public hearing.","taxTitle","Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks, Senate, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20499,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6356969,"Committee hears bill to create organic action plan, microgrants and fee adjustments",2890,1403000,4293000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215680-8084ed41e3ad3d67f3cbbd5ad037ad72&start=1403&end=4293","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215680-8084ed41e3ad3d67f3cbbd5ad037ad72/thumbnail_1403000.jpg","/articles/6356969/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-create-organic-action-plan-microgrants-and-fee-adjustments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6356969-03280c92dcece25b0b842909544ece22/orig.mp4?Expires=1775127032&Signature=kMYQ9xvzq4abrrRr6KH17Xoz4dsgfRpiJVjxtVoqk2lUrU1W12XSl6caLQZNO8gN40mbCntdtzLKByE7yT7hdM~wyuOwKxNPMxw2KbW-sv28bFQkh-14cAiTFamILM8ePUU7VdqoOcASS4eGF5Y5K0hv9k0MNjGxotSMEJCC27cxptcF8Xv7jxiXZy4q~ljDdKlpx7yNg9Tj7F5IzrfdSXVnPXsxWCmvlS2Y5E6ZnG1hGe0v0iTeQPVIhicHLCOdzreZhmjtcDoBk-WO8c3H0fUDm7tLZyyWqYNeRdH8cdeKxZ1CzYRprc8FSV2~aSMrB54xlPSpF8IMCyswx2qCpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 5474 drew extensive testimony on opportunities and barriers for organic, regenerative and climate‑smart producers. The bill directs the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to develop an organic agriculture action plan, authorizes a nonprofit partner to run a low‑barrier microgrant program that can award up to $25,000 per producer, and permits adjustment of WSDA’s organic certification fee schedule if funds are appropriated for that purpose.

Elena Becker, committee staff, outlined the three components: an action plan to analyze barriers and opportunities (including outreach to youth and overburdened communities), a microgrant program prioritized by criteria such as carbon sequestration and leadership from vulnerable populations, and a possible fee adjustment to reduce certification costs if the legislature funds that change. The fiscal note attached to the bill shows estimated operating expenditures of $445,935 in the 2025–2027 biennium.

Multiple witnesses from the organic sector and partnering organizations testified in favor. Melissa Speer, executive director of TILT Alliance and a governing council member of the Coalition for Organic and Regenerative Agriculture (CORA), described Washington’s organic sector: “Washington comes in second in the nation in organic farm gate sales,” and she urged state action to replace shrinking federal supports such as the federal certification cost‑share, which she said has recently been unavailable. Mike Dill of Organically Grown Company emphasized that many farms and processors operate as “split operations” (producing both organic and nonorganic products) and that investments in organic infrastructure would benefit a broad set of producers.

Producers described on‑the‑ground benefits. Maynard Malani, co‑owner of Malani Family Farm and an organic dairy operator, said organic dairy saved his family farm and produces roughly $90 million in organic dairy sales statewide across about 32 farms. Matt Simon, a regenerative producer in Skagit County and chair of CORA’s governing council, urged measures that lower certification and infrastructure barriers for first‑generation and small farmers who are expanding into organic channels. Jeremy Takala, a councilor for the Yakama Nation, asked the committee to consider tribal farms and tribal enterprise structures in program design and noted that tribal operations can be disqualified from nonprofit‑targeted grants because they are structured as tribal business enterprises.

Charles Benbrook, an academic who has published on organic food, recommended the state generate more consumer‑facing data on nutritional and food‑safety benefits to grow demand for organic products; he cautioned that market demand — not technical limits — is the principal constraint on scaling production.

The committee closed the public hearing on SB 5474; staff recorded 1,131 sign‑in responses on the bill (1,112 pro, 18 con, 1 other). No committee vote occurred during the hearing; sponsor and witnesses said they will continue to work with WSDA and other stakeholders on technical details and implementation.","Senate Bill 5474 would require WSDA to produce an organic agriculture action plan, stand up a nonprofit‑run microgrant program with awards up to $25,000, and permit fee adjustments for organic certification if the legislature funds them.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6356964,"Panel backs cleanup to Sustainable Farms and Fields grant to prioritize fuel and energy savings",504,4309000,4813000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215680-8084ed41e3ad3d67f3cbbd5ad037ad72&start=4309&end=4813","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215680-8084ed41e3ad3d67f3cbbd5ad037ad72/thumbnail_4309000.jpg","/articles/6356964/Washington/Panel-backs-cleanup-to-Sustainable-Farms-and-Fields-grant-to-prioritize-fuel-and-energy-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6356964-f610d3e7d7074c078094f5c2a7e8668b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775127032&Signature=XkfjbsBWupe4DAQ1nbzBJaC~1ADe4zglMv2itVzjL4J7rZNrlKxofTObRR3vaPZaMa44bbzD~5Oj6OlpwcZ~MdgLxTqvtYSiuow9ThHsE3N6tkzErtZKhbCWvpRdW5ylystAAwtRUv6HfTklCYZhSc7PHK6Sc2i7MopGD~xasjfOkd7DdHJij5GtBUvmkQpuLjnDkcqUkTvSLTw8Mvqwr2BHl3-AQZZYosfQXLJxzpivebqYYWR5JPwHkWtvVm2ua-lPNHjFup8fsI7yVV11LE9nhMQxzx9HIQi5zGJ2sx6WV8YYKxT~vV2m47lzQdgHT4hKI3VsRvOIH2EXkxyhNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 5391, which would amend the Sustainable Farms and Fields grant program, received a public hearing before the Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee.

Committee staff explained three primary changes: remove a narrowly worded allowable use tied to compost spreader purchases that staff said is difficult to implement as written; add a prioritization criterion to explicitly allow consideration of projects that “reduce or avoid carbon dioxide‑equivalent emissions through increased energy efficiency or reduced fuel use;” and change the statutory deadline for developing a carbon‑equivalency metric so the commission creates that metric prior to implementing any upfront carbon‑storage payments.

Elena Becker, committee staff, said the bill removes a confusing phrase about purchasing compost spreading equipment for annual use of at least three years at significant volumes at sites not owned by the farmer; she explained that purchases of equipment remain an allowable use and compost spreaders can still be funded through the program. Dani Madrone, legislative director at the State Conservation Commission, testified the change will let conservation districts prioritize energy‑saving and fuel‑reducing projects while removing the implementation confusion around the compost‑spreader language.

Sponsor Senator Shoemaker told the committee the program is voluntary and intended to support practices that sequester carbon and reduce emissions on farms. Testimony from conservation partners and producers favored the cleanup and prioritization language. Committee staff reported the fiscal note shows no net state cost for the bill as written. The public hearing record was open to testimony; staff reported sign‑in counts for the bill during the session.

The committee closed the public hearing; no committee vote occurred at this hearing. Sponsors and agency staff indicated they will continue to work on technical clarifications and program implementation.","Senate Bill 5391 would allow Sustainable Farms and Fields grants to prioritize projects that reduce emissions by improving energy efficiency or cutting fuel use, and would clarify confusing compost‑spreader language.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6356959,"Derek Sanderson testifies on farm economy, food access ahead of WSDA confirmation",117,1645000,1762000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215680-8084ed41e3ad3d67f3cbbd5ad037ad72&start=1645&end=1762","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215680-8084ed41e3ad3d67f3cbbd5ad037ad72/thumbnail_1645000.jpg","/articles/6356959/Washington/Derek-Sanderson-testifies-on-farm-economy-food-access-ahead-of-WSDA-confirmation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6356959-8aec2678ed1ee4f20ffd69793bc2b788/orig.mp4?Expires=1775127032&Signature=f-5WoqCvS6lLI6vJI1HKeyP6M8Cv0hKo1Ib94lO-i-dbY463yvt0z0bTMUIw5a9jk4-yN6dSxRC6Zs46KM3ujvgiaR9O3jyudXJeHHjBGo-KtrGWNYfDAwtZrAiCHMEl0McmPLR03VGmPhbVfEY7wpTGZ3~av-AKuNQYYUJGFCB-~5vVdhXHILYoMM2f6N-w5b5zwD1wtvSYgaJA8W9A8nJSLlgaC8VA28UgGVw2W7mYpXfl~HM2bZ9MUyDgQ3ooNjGpM~u2VI37RCos93Dtf4-MFjNjuxYtUEYY0Kg8DvXfzqHtxzyKcjTe~kOSRGAK6UMv9r07wjlI8UDx0bx-3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Derek Sanderson, director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, appeared under oath before the Washington State Senate Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee for a confirmation hearing.

Sanderson described his 10 years as WSDA director and framed his testimony around the economic stress facing the state’s farms. “Farm incomes in this state on average are down by 42%,” he told the committee, and he said rising input costs and low commodity prices have squeezed producers of all scales. Sanderson cited the 2022 Census of Agriculture figure used in testimony — about 32,500 farms statewide — and characterized the typical Washington farm as a small, family operation: “If you take those 32,500 farms, space them out, pick the one in the middle, it's about a 30‑acre farm and makes about $5,000,” he said, to illustrate the small scale of many operations and the department’s work across farm sizes.

Sanderson outlined WSDA programs to support food access and local purchasing. He referenced initiatives such as “We Feed Washington,” efforts to use Washington farmers when the state makes food purchases for assistance programs, and federal grants the department has administered for food‑system infrastructure and aggregation to connect small farms to broader markets. He told the committee WSDA is working on resilient food‑system infrastructure and food‑purchasing assistance grants to help small producers access institutional buyers.

During questioning, members asked about consolidation, foreign ownership and program priorities. Sanderson said consolidation has been observed, particularly in some sectors such as tree fruit, and that new ownership patterns — including out‑of‑state equity firms — have changed the sector’s character. On tribal, local and other partnerships his testimony referenced WSDA work that aims to support food access and local sourcing.

Committee members thanked Sanderson for his remarks. The committee did not vote on his confirmation during this hearing; members indicated they plan to take up the confirmation at a later committee meeting.","Derek Sanderson, director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, testified under oath before the Senate committee about farm income declines, the need to support farms of all scales, food‑system initiatives such as We Feed Washington, and the department's focus on rebuilding the agricultural economy.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6356979,"Senate committee hears bill to extend livestock inspection fees, reporting through 2030",477,74000,551000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215680-8084ed41e3ad3d67f3cbbd5ad037ad72&start=74&end=551","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215680-8084ed41e3ad3d67f3cbbd5ad037ad72/thumbnail_74000.jpg","/articles/6356979/Washington/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-extend-livestock-inspection-fees-reporting-through-2030","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6356979-95a35ddd2338419a6dd2dbe914fd71e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775127032&Signature=QGt99hMt1~RgC1CwwC7tii204t81EaXoLwRhaaq4VSd5cJACrwoW6J8-Kizwqq06SStaidX8-ycF9J1NqTEZ6e2ql5oBW3~2fG9ZiU8GaCqKnv222RWJjcy5Z3Aix0p0efflFzwHHjkrvAjbkBzvgY3yLRYJwmwRU4tzp45diCEoyfWgix18s3GxTbTDOvZ~5nY5iU2FEwfXdrrkcAVLWayLdUdmzEz1H0Wb1O0XkZytYFgwDu9dc1k5FNIRLejAx7X5Nu1TQ23kwgq3XamGjp6ic8~pT3iqtVqhwReoL0QJV~45mkgahnO4bH0Qc45kZgtg6kqfAguI99-EaT5Lug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 5485, a measure to extend the state livestock identification program's fee sunset and reporting requirements through July 1, 2030, received a public hearing before the Washington State Senate Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee.

The bill would extend inspection fee authorities and require the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to continue annual reports to the legislature and to the Livestock Identification Advisory Committee through 2030. Jeff Olson, committee staff, said the program “records brands, licenses, feed lots and public livestock markets” and conducts inspections “at time of sale and upon movement out of state.” Olson listed sample fees the program currently applies: unbranded and unidentified cattle $4 per head, branded and identified cattle $1.21 per head, and horses $3.85 per head; those fees are scheduled under current law to expire July 1, 2026.

The bill would also preserve the removal of a callout fee for inspections performed by certified veterinarians or field livestock inspectors through 2030. Jeff Olson summarized the fiscal picture: fees are expected to generate revenue in the 2027–2029 biennium and the fiscal note projects revenues in the 2027 biennium on the order of hundreds of thousands to roughly $1 million.

Senator Judy Warnick (13th Legislative District), the bill's sponsor, told the committee the program helps protect producers and track disease. “Everybody needs to know and wants to know that our animals, especially our commercial animals, are being kept safe and free from diseases,” Warnick said. Mark Struhle of the Washington Cattlemen's Association testified in full support and thanked the sponsor; he said the program has moved from a solvency concern in 2019 to a functioning program that also supports animal health and traceability.

Brennan Kimball, program manager for WSDA's Livestock Identification Program, described the agency's technical review: with the current fee structure the program “will remain financially solvent into 2029,” but “there are many unpredictable variables” and without the extension “the program will be in a deficit as of May 2027,” which could force reductions in services or staffing.

The committee closed the public hearing on SB 5485 after in‑room testimony; staff recorded sign-in counts for the bill as 112 people (111 pro, 1 con). The measure did not receive a committee vote during this hearing. Committee staff said they would take any questions and the committee will consider next steps at a later meeting.

The bill would not raise current per‑inspection fees but would extend the authority to collect them and continue reporting and advisory oversight through July 1, 2030.","Senate Bill 5485 would extend the sunset on livestock inspection fees, reporting requirements and advisory committee oversight to July 1, 2030; Department of Agriculture officials and industry groups told the committee the program supports disease traceability and would face a budget shortfall without the extension.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears bill to allow agritourism as incidental use on open‑space land

Committee hears bill to create organic action plan, microgrants and fee adjustments

Panel backs cleanup to Sustainable Farms and Fields grant to prioritize fuel and energy savings

Derek Sanderson testifies on farm economy, food access ahead of WSDA confirmation

Senate committee hears bill to extend livestock inspection fees, reporting through 2030