[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6097286,"mediaKeyId","2828479-72c1c151683f2dab6e7ffab413d339cc","parentId",2828479,"title","WSDA presents climate resilience plan for agriculture with six goals and 27 actions","audioSeconds",1191,"startMs",2552000,"endMs",3743000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828479-72c1c151683f2dab6e7ffab413d339cc&start=2552&end=3743","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828479-72c1c151683f2dab6e7ffab413d339cc/thumbnail_2552000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6097286/Washington/WSDA-presents-climate-resilience-plan-for-agriculture-with-six-goals-and-27-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097286-4cc001c5f810381c2d97be9333392693/orig.mp4?Expires=1770947789&Signature=WSzrYMDyZKH75Stwn3IzeOCrZ6X-Pu19yVKNLQ3uH9X0J-giKyhq8EJ99jGpV3uRgIjnP60F8LZ1HIjt~VNklDJSWqD-zwMZoxzQHfFMplXspi3hPKI-LCtXctZM~3vUpOEnMeluNHWBmBeJIsUyJC8A~iGyknDLaOAz8Q-D-jBDRs2JzPrqOfUWTHHl5ls9wZVZk70kwvHkoaLG6fGtTqG4s2w8U18YN6vld00omtzGaG3TY~SxIeC8QioxHAid4zNQg47Kv7MYdVRmo3XrGkNYPAiyyveblWiYIKWPMUZ5WAfTzoJUmc73dLNJDT3OsJh6E42r8qN833rkbn-cZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washington State Legislature","date","2025-03-31T13:30:00Z","article","Danny Gilardi, senior soil scientist and climate coordinator at the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), presented the agency’s climate resilience plan, describing the science, stakeholder engagement and proposed actions to support producers and farmworkers.

Why it matters: WSDA told the committee that climate impacts are already affecting Washington agriculture in varied ways — from drought‑stressed dryland wheat in the east to unprecedented heat and coastal shellfish losses on the west coast — and that a coordinated plan is needed to protect production, worker safety, and rural livelihoods.

Stakeholder outreach and key findings: WSDA said it gathered input from more than 400 farmers and about 200 farmworkers through surveys and listening sessions. The agency reported that over 70% of respondents said extreme heat, drought, wildfire, changing weather and yield fluctuations negatively affected their operations in the past five years; more than 50% reported impacts from changing pests, disease, heavy precipitation and water supply changes. WSDA also cited 2021 as an example year of compound impacts: it noted a historic drought that year and reported wildfires consumed 674,000 acres in Washington.

Six goals and examples of actions: the plan organizes 27 strategic actions under six goals: (1) increase preparedness, response and recovery from extreme weather (including better weather data and emergency livestock sheltering); (2) support on‑farm climate‑smart practices (research, technical assistance, better‑designed grants, inclusion of tribes and underserved producers); (3) safeguard sufficient high‑quality surface and groundwater (on‑farm efficiency and multi‑benefit water projects); (4) prepare the agricultural workforce (worker safety networks and new curriculum for technical colleges); (5) minimize pest, weed and disease impacts (surveillance, data sharing); and (6) align laws and regulations to advance resilience and agricultural viability.

Existing programs and needs: WSDA cited the Washington Soil Health Initiative, partnerships with Washington State University, the STAR incentives framework, and the compost reimbursement program as existing tools. Interviewees told WSDA they need more place‑ and crop‑specific research, more extension capacity, and more flexible, accessible funding to implement new practices.

Committee discussion and next steps: WSDA said the plan includes proposed cost estimates, timelines and metrics for each action and asked for continued collaboration across agencies, stakeholders, and the Legislature. Committee members discussed water planning and cross‑agency coordination; WSDA described roles the agency can play in convening and ensuring agriculture is represented in regional water discussions.

Ending: WSDA officials told the committee the resilience plan is intended to guide investments and partnerships to maintain agricultural productivity and worker safety in a changing climate; the agency did not present a formal funding bill during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources - 3/31/2025 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Washington State Department of Agriculture presented a climate resilience plan to the Senate committee that outlines six goals and 27 strategic actions to help farms, farmworkers, and agricultural landscapes adapt to extreme weather and longer‑term climate trends.","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},6097291,"Department of Fish and Wildlife doubles down on safety after two on‑the‑job deaths",1008,1146000,2154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828479-72c1c151683f2dab6e7ffab413d339cc&start=1146&end=2154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828479-72c1c151683f2dab6e7ffab413d339cc/thumbnail_1146000.jpg","/articles/6097291/Washington/Department-of-Fish-and-Wildlife-doubles-down-on-safety-after-two-onthejob-deaths","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097291-22c262d9fffc6a930609a15f09bc221b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770947789&Signature=ID8IY6Bu5l73Zkd9mwV1HOyuKu9IGSdoEYr-GClDM6ACKXYpJ6pwcy3~lk4j7Ywi1DoQZxdWJ~0Y9AZkq3rBqlGpVqLmc1H2rbl3DTPOmOQwwgJs1xQPlLaqA8jMqRjq07uzWnYJBz5XPeCLlocB91W2a4zpgxebILB37MCLHDLSwlNRMU3oUZk69HmEORsr-ADRHbMC7WZJG9tnQX950gdtUp-JMxlsd0zBjQcWy-PtgVoFKBwYny44vSmiOv7njPJidteGsjtQjtTq4TYjPg50M~rh4j4OGljK3jQThExog95F8oojmoUArW9IosuwyvfRn8nbP3X1Zrbu~Aimmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) presented a broad review of changes to its safety program after two recent field fatalities, telling the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee that safety is now its top funding priority.

Amy, the executive leader for the department’s safety initiative, described steps taken since 2018 and said the agency moved more aggressively after two employee deaths in late 2023 and January 2024. WDFW has updated policies on personal flotation devices, motorized and non‑motorized boat operation, incident reporting, field communication, and personal safety; hired additional safety staff and field trainers; and launched a digital incident reporting system that the agency says will capture near misses as well as injuries.

Why it matters: WDFW staff and volunteers work in remote, hazardous conditions across the state. The agency said about 2,400 people work for WDFW and roughly 1,000 volunteers support field work; staff and volunteers together account for substantial field exposure that the agency estimates at about 4,000,000 field hours annually.

Key actions and tools: Amy said WDFW has hired six additional field trainers, created regional safety offices, and issued individual first‑aid kits and field communication devices to all field staff. The agency created a direct phone line to enforcement officers so field staff can quickly request support while working with the public. WDFW also contracted Rizicon to review its program and develop a timeline for integrating a proactive, enterprise‑level safety program; the department plans to hire an executive‑level safety director who will report to the department’s executive team.

Training and participation: WDFW reported a multi‑day “safety stand up” attended by about 900 staff each day and said it plans second‑tier training for roughly 500 motorboat operators. Amy said the department now requires staff to check in and out of the field and to carry a communication device while working in remote locations.

Funding and next steps: Director Susswind said safety was the department’s top funding priority in the current budget cycle and that WDFW will continue to seek funding to sustain hired staff, training, gear, and the planned executive safety director. No dollar figure was presented to the committee during this session.

Ending: WDFW leaders said the agency has made substantial progress but that cultural and operational changes will take time. Amy closed by emphasizing the department’s goal that every employee return home “whole in body and whole in mind.”","The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife told the Senate committee it has accelerated a multi‑year safety overhaul after two recent field fatalities, implementing new policies, digital incident reporting and training while seeking funding to sustain improvements.",{"_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},6097296,"Conservation districts urge sustained funding for forest health as federal support stalls",665,63000,728000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828479-72c1c151683f2dab6e7ffab413d339cc&start=63&end=728","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828479-72c1c151683f2dab6e7ffab413d339cc/thumbnail_63000.jpg","/articles/6097296/Washington/Conservation-districts-urge-sustained-funding-for-forest-health-as-federal-support-stalls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097296-bb5f67cc4462ca72544095c51dd1bcc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770947789&Signature=fSoXzjE9MqyODmtwwUgL9je3rISEx4IKpNLi10mOYn7oexXYsF5qZkXeNvdaxHtzeVaXvE9lR1jJ8XFe1bLkWsU9cktIKM9OXkFU7LHODHL9SJzTAkkHkiqfqU4dVUk7WbiqrLbbPZGV3YqzYOKMrTBkAw7fSb0WQ8AWIvJVTUJEV~afuv0V3s3KqGJLKUzq-oNano~Irxk21pb2swYAPCKVccByH3yMRg6CA047cMRE-bip82U4PYytnDk4QFcZ~gC0ZQAEuDfd3MPO-V~5aPWOj2XimDYwAecZT0s440PF-9vbcRYDj6c0oWRoYzChDDgnxImOGTrmOfmbABYkBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Danny Madrone, legislative director of the Washington State Conservation Commission, told the Washington State Senate Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee that conservation districts provide the local capacity needed for forest health treatments and neighborhood-scale wildfire planning. He said the commission’s Forest Health and Wildfire Resiliency Program funded by the Legislature in the last biennium moved quickly: $15,000,000 was allocated and spent within six months to support roughly 42 full‑time equivalent positions working in communities across the state.

The commission argues that conservation districts are uniquely positioned to reach private landowners and neighborhoods because they are nonregulatory local governments that can build trust and deliver voluntary conservation, Madrone said. “Forest health and wildfire resiliency are core parts of our strategic priorities,” he said, describing district work that ranges from fuels reduction and prescribed‑burn training to neighborhood risk assessments and home hardening cost share.

Why it matters: districts serve as local implementers for statewide wildfire resilience strategies. The commission told the committee that without stable, dedicated funding districts struggle to keep staff and sustain multi‑year projects.

Details and examples: Madrone highlighted projects across the state: San Juan Island and Underwood Conservation Districts partnered with the Department of Natural Resources and local fire districts on a wildfire‑ready neighborhoods program; Cascadia Conservation District supported prescribed‑burn trainings; Pine Creek Conservation District used goats for fuel reduction around Malden after the 2020 Bab Road Fire; Skagit and Whatcom districts demonstrated biochar kilns and considered a kiln loan program for landowners; at least 14 districts have helped develop community wildfire protection plans.

Budget and funding risks: the commission said the newly created Forest Health and Wildfire Resiliency Program received $15,000,000 in the previous biennium and that funding supported about 42 FTEs. Districts estimate that maintaining current capacity in the next biennium would require $14,000,000. For the current budget cycle the commission requested $5,000,000 ongoing plus an additional $5,000,000; Madrone said districts have told the commission those amounts are insufficient. He also warned that the Department of Natural Resources’ wildfire accounts are facing reduced funding.

Federal funding uncertainty: Madrone raised concerns about federal program interruptions. He said federal layoffs and administrative pauses affected the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), slowing contract processing and reimbursing work. He said Inflation Reduction Act funding that underwrote some NRCS programs had been frozen, leaving $90,000,000 in wildfire funding for Washington in limbo and pausing new contracts under programs such as EQIP. Madrone said existing contracts are being honored but new awards are paused, and some NRCS agreements tied to climate, climate justice, or DEI language are under review or on hold.

Committee response and next steps: committee members did not take formal action during the work session. Madrone asked for continued support in the operating budget and warned that reduced funding at state and federal levels could weaken local preparedness heading into wildfire season.

Ending: the commission emphasized the local role of conservation districts and urged stable, predictable funding so districts can continue on‑the‑ground work that district staff and community partners say has accelerated in recent years.","The Washington State Conservation Commission told the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee that locally based conservation districts are central to forest health and wildfire resiliency work and warned that state and federal funding uncertainties put that work at risk.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

WSDA presents climate resilience plan for agriculture with six goals and 27 actions

Department of Fish and Wildlife doubles down on safety after two on‑the‑job deaths

Conservation districts urge sustained funding for forest health as federal support stalls