WSU’s Small
Farms Program was established by the state legislature in 2000,
after Washington citizens presented the urgent case for resources
dedicated to small farmers. Today’s farmers face growing development
pressure, increased environmental regulations and competitive global
markets. In partnership with citizens across the state, the program
is helping to build a vital future for small-scale farming.
What
is a small farm? The USDA National Commission on Small Farms defines
a small farm as an operation with annual receipts less than $250,000,
and on which day-to-day labor and management are provided by the
farm family that owns or leases the productive assets. By this
definition, 87 percent of Washington’s growers are operating ‘small
farms.’ WSU’s Small Farms Program staff conducts education,
outreach and research in partnership with farmers and communities
around Washington.
