Help Promote Organic and Sustainably Grown Food In Washington

Calls Needed to Increase Funding For

The Biological and Organic Agriculture Program at WSU!

The organic sector of farming has been growing about 20% every year because consumers want to purchase healthy and locally-grown food, but Washington's growers are struggling and we lose 23,000 acres of farmland to development every year. If we grew more food here at home, sustainably, we could reduce our use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers, protect our fertile farmland, and keep our agricultural economy strong.



Washington State can be a leader in organic and sustainable farming by increasing funding for WSU's successful Biological and Organic (BIOAg) Program that directly promotes organic and sustainable agriculture. The Legislature is currently writing its budget for the next two years, and now is the time to push hard to increase funding for this important program.

Call your legislators today!

Please contact your legislators and urge their support for this important program. Dial between M-F 8am-8pm. You'll speak with an operator who will ask for your address to identify who your legislators are. Then you can leave a message that will be delivered to all three of your legislators.

Basic Message:

" Please fully Fund Washington State University's Unified Ag Initiative including $400,000 more/year for WSU's Biologically Intensive Organic Agriculture (BIOAg) program to reduce the use of harmful chemicals in our food. Please contact me with your position on this issue."


After making the call please contact Jim Dawson at jdawson@watoxics.org or at ext 120 so we can track how many calls are generated on this issue.

Background Information:

In 2001, WSU launched an exciting new program focusing on biological and organic farming (BIOAg). By providing cutting-edge research and teaching to Washington farmers, this program will ultimately give consumers more options for purchasing the freshest, highest quality food while supporting farmers who employ good environmental stewardship on their land.Last year, we were successful in winning legislative approval of $400,000 per year for BIOAg. This was a start, but much less than needed for a comprehensive program. This year, as part of WSU's Unified Ag Initiative, we are asking for an additional $400,000 each year for BIOAg to support research, outreach to growers and WSU's new organic major.

Learn more about the BIOAg program at the Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network website (WTC is a founding member of the network)

For more information contact:

Contact Erika Schreder at ext 119 or eschreder@watoxics.org