Department of Agriculture

  Average Annual FTEs Near General Fund State Other Funds Total Funds
  (Dollars in Thousands)
Current Budget 955.8 122,648 261,223 383,871
2023-25 Maintenance Level 955.8 122,767 260,998 383,765
Difference from 2023-25 Original 0.0 119 (225) (106)
% Change from 2023-25 Original 0.0% 0.10% (0.1%) (0.0%)

2024 Policy Other Changes

Japanese Beetle Eradication 0.80 1,337 0 1,337
Farm Stress and Suicide Prevention 0.0 270 0 270
Growing Diverse Leaders 0.0 795 0 795
Pest and Disease Response 0.0 0 2,000 2,000
Tribal Affairs Liaison 0.50 257 0 257
Climate Lead Position 0.50 0 262 262
Lump Sum Payments 0.0 276 0 276
Invasive Moth Eradication 2.3 306 351 657
Hemp for Building Materials 0.0 220 0 220
Lab Equipment Efficiency Fix 0.0 2,060 0 2,060
Emergency Food Relief 0.0 9,297 703 10,000
Green Fertilizer Workgroup 0.0 0 250 250
Resilient Food Systems 0.0 0 9,500 9,500
2024 Policy Other Changes Total 4.1 14,818 13,066 27,884

2024 Policy Comp Changes

State Employee Benefits 0.0 10 48 58
Pension Rate Month of Death Bill 0.0 5 20 25
2024 Policy Comp Changes Total 0.0 15 68 83

2024 Policy Central Services Changes

Legal Services 0.0 2 4 6
CTS Central Services 0.0 27 123 150
DES Central Services 0.0 1 5 6
OFM Central Services 0.0 353 717 1,070
GOV Central Services 0.0 3 6 9
2024 Policy Central Services Changes Total 0.0 386 855 1,241
Total Policy Changes 4.1 15,219 13,989 29,208
2024 Policy Level 959.9 137,986 274,987 412,973
Difference from 2023-25 Original 4.1 15,338 13,764 29,102
% Change from 2023-25 Original 0.43% 12.5% 5.3% 7.6%

Policy Changes

CTS Central Services

Adjustments are made to reflect each agency's anticipated share of charges from Consolidated Technology Services (CTS) for the Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of Cybersecurity, state network, enterprise and small agency IT services, enterprise architecture and data management, Microsoft 365 licenses, and other items. (Agricultural Local Account - Non-Appropriated, General Fund - State, General Fund - Federal, other funds)

DES Central Services

Adjustments are made to reflect each agency's anticipated share of charges from the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) for Capitol campus costs; real estate, risk management, and small agency services; the Perry Street and Capitol Campus child care centers; enterprise applications, and other items. (Agricultural Local Account - Non-Appropriated, General Fund - Federal, General Fund - State, other funds)

OFM Central Services

Adjustments are made to reflect each agency's anticipated share of charges from the Office of Financial Management for existing statewide applications, the One Washington program, and other central services. See Chapter 11 of the 2023-25 OFM Budget Instructions for allocation methodologies. (Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Acct - Non-Appropriated, General Fund - State, Agricultural Local Account - Non-Appropriated, other funds)

Japanese Beetle Eradication

The Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, is a regulated plant pest that attacks more than 300 plant species. It is a devastating pest of urban landscape plants and cash crops. The beetle larvae also feed primarily on grass roots and are a major turfgrass pest. A large infestation was detected in the Grandview area in 2021 and the Wapato area in 2022. This funding augments current trapping and eradication efforts for the spring of 2024. (General Fund - State)

Farm Stress and Suicide Prevention

Farm production expenses have increased in recent years while farm income has decreased, creating financial stressors for farmers trying to make ends meet while servicing their existing debt. This item extends the Farm Financial Literacy project, which delivers financial literacy workshops and voluntary one-on-one farm management consultations. The department received a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant for the Farm Stress and Suicide Prevention Project, a collaborative effort between several state agencies to reduce harm for people in the agricultural sector. (General Fund - State)

Growing Diverse Leaders

Current and future agriculture leaders require ongoing adaptation, resiliency, and leadership skill-building opportunities for career success. The department will partner with four established programs to promote diversity and develop agricultural leadership and educational opportunities. (General Fund - State)

Pest and Disease Response

Washington agriculture faces serious economic, biosecurity and food security risks associated with the introduction of disease and pests, which have increased in frequency and severity due to global trade and climate change. The department monitors and responds to reports of new, emerging and transboundary diseases and pests. This item establishes ongoing funding for agency request legislation to support rapid response efforts to mitigate the impacts of an adverse agricultural plant or animal event. (Agricultural Pest & Disease Respons - State)

Tribal Affairs Liaison

A tribal liaison position will manage tribal relationships and responsibilities in accordance with federal and state regulations, the state's Centennial Accord, the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, and Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) plans. This position will facilitate relationships with the 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington and ensure communications of all agency policies, programs, and actions that affect Native Americans. (General Fund - State)

Climate Lead Position

Extreme weather, invasive pests and disease, and declining water availability are impacting daily agricultural production in Washington. The department plays a critical role in protecting natural resources and agricultural livelihoods. The urgency of climate change requires the department to elevate its work with a unified and cohesive science-based climate strategy. This item creates a climate liaison position that will provide leadership and strategic direction for climate work. (Climate Commitment Account - State)

Lump Sum Payments

The enacted 2023-25 budget provides for two lump sum payments for retention and COVID vaccine incentives. These one-time payments are to be paid out during fiscal year 2024. WSDA has several nonappropriated programs whose operations are fully supported by customer fees. This item funds these incentives where fee-based programs fund balances levels are not sufficient to cover the one-time payments. (General Fund - State)

Invasive Moth Eradication

This funding will conduct spongy moth eradication in the spring of 2024, as well as trapping and monitoring efforts in 2024. Trapping data through September shows higher numbers caught in 2023 compared to prior years, particularly in two areas in Thurston and Skagit counties. (General Fund - State, General Fund - Federal)

Hemp for Building Materials

Washington created a commercial use hemp program under federal guidelines in 2018. A lack of clarity and regulation around these products has created challenges, drastically reducing licensees. The department will partner with the Department of Commerce on a study to understand the opportunities and challenges, as well as identify solutions to existing barriers for a healthy hemp marketplace. (General Fund - State)

Lab Equipment Efficiency Fix

The department's Food Safety and Consumer Services Laboratory requires improvements because the complex operational requirements were not being met in the current configuration of the laboratory. Funding is provided to make the necessary modifications to the laboratory to minimize events that could impact the department's ability to achieve its food safety mission, public health goals, and federal requirements. (General Fund - State)

Emergency Food Relief

Food insecurity is a problem that is not reducing in scale or scope with the end of the pandemic. Food bank utilization has seen a 33% increase of clientele from this time last year. This investment for the Emergency Food Assistance Program will help meet historic levels of need by directly purchasing food or providing grant funding to hunger relief organizations. (Coronavirus St Fiscal Recovery Fund - Federal, General Fund - State)

Green Fertilizer Workgroup

The department will establish a workgroup to study and make recommendations on establishing a grant program to support farmers in the purchase of green fertilizer produced in Washington. Fertilizer production is responsible for approximately 1.2% of global carbon emissions, roughly equivalent to emissions from the combined aviation and shipping sectors. (Climate Commitment Account - State)

Resilient Food Systems

Increased federal spending authority is provided to support a USDA grant received for the Washington state resilient food system infrastructure program. Eligible grant expenditures include purchasing food and agricultural commodities, providing pass-through grants for small and midsized food processors or distributors, and offering other assistance to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. (General Fund - Federal)

State Employee Benefits

Funding is provided to increase the retiree health insurance subsidy, adjusting the cap from $183 to $193 per month and raising the base subsidy percentage from 50 percent to 60 percent. The insurance funding rates are set at $1,145 per month for fiscal year 2024 and $1,158 per month for fiscal year 2025. (General Fund - State, Agricultural Local Account - Non-Appropriated, Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Acct - Non-Appropriated, other funds)

Pension Rate Month of Death Bill

Funding is provided for contribution rate impacts associated with proposed legislation that ensures the continuation of benefit payments through the end of the month in which a retiree or beneficiary dies. (Agricultural Local Account - Non-Appropriated, General Fund - State, Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Acct - Non-Appropriated, other funds)

Legal Services

Adjustments are made for each agency's anticipated cost of legal services provided by the Attorney General's Office. Because legal services expenditures are based on consumption, funding provided in the central service model is not all inclusive. The methodology to estimate consumption is a two-year average and allows for analysis to incorporate unique agency circumstances. (Agricultural Local Account - Non-Appropriated, General Fund - State, Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Acct - Non-Appropriated, other funds)

GOV Central Services

Adjustments are made to reflect each agency's anticipated share of charges from the Office of the Governor for the Office of Equity. (Agricultural Local Account - Non-Appropriated, General Fund - State, Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Acct - Non-Appropriated, other funds)