WSDA describes one-time overtime reimbursement grants that covered 24 farms, highlights lessons for future programs

Katie Raines, director of food systems initiatives at the Washington State Department of Agriculture, briefed the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee on a one-time grant program funded by a 2024 legislative proviso to reimburse eligible farmers for overtime wages paid during peak harvest.

Raines described the program purpose and eligibility: reimbursements of up to $20,000 were available to Washington-based farms that hand-harvested specialty vegetables sold to local markets or schools; farms needed to have paid overtime wages to domestic workers in the 2024 season, be owned and operated by Washington residents, and possess required state certifications. WSDA implemented the program through its regional markets team using a streamlined, first-come, first-served online application with self-attestation and supportive assistance for applicants.

Outcomes and numbers: WSDA issued awards to 24 farms totaling nearly $214,000; Raines said the average award was under half of the $20,000 maximum. She told the committee that regional market staff absorbed implementation work because the program was designed as a short, one-time opportunity.

Raines walked through lessons learned: limited funding and narrow eligibility meant demand exceeded supply, so WSDA prioritized targeted outreach informed by Labor & Industries coding and cross-agency relationships (Commerce and the office referenced as ORIA's small business liaison team) to find likely eligible producers. The agency also provided an application-preparation worksheet and focused on a simple online form to reduce barriers. Some producers told WSDA that knowing about the program earlier would have altered their labor plans for 2024; others expressed gratitude for the reimbursement.

Raines said WSDA is leveraging work from a 2023 agricultural-competitiveness study conducted by the WSU Impact Center; an initial baseline assessment was recently published and a larger ag viability study will be released in July. Committee members asked whether lessons from the proviso could alter ongoing competitive grant programs; Raines said the department expects to apply targeted outreach and data coordination to reduce reliance on self-attestation where feasible.

The committee closed the work session with appreciation for the department's staff and work; the chair then adjourned the committee for the 2026 session.