WSU signaled its support Thursday for a measure to fund the Soil Health Initiative, a multi-agency research and extension initiative. Senate Bill 6306 formally establishes the initiative and outlines assignments for WSU, the state Department of Agriculture and the state Conservation Commission.
“Though farmers across the state are working hard to protect their soil, decades of traditional farming and soil management strategies have depleted the natural fertility and health of the soils” Chad Kruger, Director of WSU’s Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources, told the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks committee.
The bill seeks to codify the soil health initiative, a WSU partnership with the Washington State Department of Agriculture and Washington State Conservation Commission.
“Soil health matters because it maintains and potentially increases yields, it can help improve crop quality and nutrition” said Kruger, “It promotes drainage, water infiltration and water quality.”
The governor’s proposed operating budget funded $200,000 to fund WSDA’s component. WSU’s is requesting $788,000 to fund its work.
“WSU is where the rubber really hits the road for farmers,” said Evan Sheffels, a policy advisor for the Department of Agriculture. “We trust WSU science and we very much appreciate when it’s there for us.”
The goal of the initiative, as outlined in the bill, is to improve agricultural viability, nutrition and environmental function. The legislation also requires WSU, WSDA, and the Commission to provide progress reports every other year on the state of the soil to the Legislature and the Governor beginning October 1, 2020.
You can watch Kruger’s full testimony below.