Top: Barr-Tech, an eastern Washington composting facility, is a supplier of compost for the state reiumbursement program. Spreading of compost on dryland wheat is shown above. Photo courtesy of J. Scott Deatherage, Barr-Tech

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has launched the second year of its Compost Reimbursement Program to continue to encourage on-farm compost use. All commercial Washington farmers — including those in agriculture, silviculture and aquaculture — are eligible for 50% reimbursement on qualifying costs for compost purchases and associated transportation, equipment, and labor costs. Funding limits for participating farms vary based on farm size and proposed budgets. Participants must agree to conduct soil sampling before and for several years following the application of compost. Additionally, the compost must be purchased from a state-approved composting facility. The Washington State Legislature instituted several changes to the program that take effect this year. These include prioritizing applications based on the presence of food waste feedstock in the compost to be purchased, and allowing compost to be purchased from Washington composting facilities that either have a solid waste handling permit or are permit-exempt. The application period closes September 12. Producers must apply to and be approved for the program, ensuring their business and compost source are eligible.