Washington County awards five agriculture-innovation grants from $100,000 pool

Washington County commissioners on Wednesday approved five agriculture-innovation and equipment grants aimed at strengthening farm operations and local food production.

Kelsey Cadel, agricultural business specialist, said the county received 26 applications this cycle requesting a combined $542,891 and awarded five projects from the $100,000 program pool. “This cycle we received 26 applications with an increase of 3 from last year with a combined total of 542,891 requested in funding,” Cadel said.

The five approved projects include upgrades to a milking facility (including a robotic manure pusher), barn and processing-space renovations for small livestock and poultry, a comprehensive cattle-handling system (chute, vet cage, scales), purchase of a reaper binder for willow production, and support for a newly established farm expanding agritourism and “pick‑your‑own” operations, Cadel said. The awards also fund roof repairs and facility improvements to enable community education and farm-to-table events.

County staff described this as the third and final round of the original three‑year program and said the grants support both immediate productivity improvements and broader local-food and ag-education efforts. “This grant continues to support Washington County's agriculture community providing farms with innovative equipment and infrastructure essential to increasing production and long term sustainability,” Cadel said.

The county will continue discussions with the board about the program’s future and options for continued support of the agricultural sector.