Around the Industry

WSDA – Japanese Beetle Stakeholder Update Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) continues to work to eradicate Japanese beetles in Washington State. Japanese beetles are making their first appearances of the year in Eastern Washington. Five beetles were detected in one trap in Pasco on June 4. You can view detections in real time on…

Nominations Now Open for Farmers and Ranchers to Serve on USDA FSA County Committees Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. These committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the…

Yakima Valley College – Winery Incubator Space Available Yakima Valley College is now accepting applications for its Winery Incubator Program at the YVC Teaching Winery in Grandview, WA, beginning Fall 2026.  This program is ideal for startup and emerging wineries looking to grow without the burden of major upfront investment. Participants gain access to:  Turnkey production space (~1,300 sq. ft.)  Shared winery…

From Wine Commission: Fellowship for Writers and Communicators Continues 3rd Year The 2026 Allen Shoup Memorial Fellowship for writers and communicators, now in its third year, will award up to two recipients with an immersive trip to Washington’s vineyards and wineries, along with a stipend. The Fellowship was established in memory of Allen Shoup, who passed away in 2022. Shoup played a pioneering role in…

West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force is Recruiting  The West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force aims to develop and disseminate information relevant to industry groups, growers, and winemakers operating in California, Oregon, and Washington. The goal is to foster dialogue between the industry and researchers, speaking with a unified voice to advance research in this crucial area. By facilitating collaboration, establishing priorities, and setting goals, the…

WSDA Pest Watch Webinar Survey  The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) hosted a free webinar Pest Watch: Strategies for Specialty Crop Protection in March.  Pest Watch presentations are available for view. Silent invader and Tree-of-heaven  Learn how Washington is preparing for spotted lanternfly with survey efforts, ant eDNA collections, and alternate host plant studies. Follow these efforts with learning how…

Help Shape the Future of Washington Agriculture The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) recently released its Phase 1 report, Washington Agriculture at a Crossroads, offering a statewide snapshot of the challenges and opportunities facing farms and ranches. Now they’re moving into Phase 2, and they’re asking for direct input from producers and workers across…

2026 Sabbatical Applications Due June 30 Anyone working in the Washington wine industry with at least 5 years of experience is eligible for this $5,000 award from the Washington Wine Industry Foundation to travel to an established wine-producing region of the world and learn about an aspect of winegrape growing or winemaking.  Recipients have the…

Viticulture and Enology Extension News Available The WSU Spring 2026 issue of VEEN is now available! Articles include a summary of summer activities for idled vineyards, vineyard recovery from prolonged drought stress, the new CropAI tool, berry surface temperature measuring, and an update from the Washington State Wine Commission’s Research Committee!  Categories Around the Industry Events Grape Post Full Issue…