WSDA seeks farmers' assistance in wheat survey

OLYMPIA — If you’re a dryland wheat farmer in Grant or Adams counties, the Washington State Department of Agriculture would like your help.

According to a department press release, WSDA is seeking information from dryland wheat farmers across the state about soil management practices, particularly relating to drought. The information will help researchers involved in the Washington State Soil Health Initiative learn better ways to support farmers during future droughts, the press release said.

WSDA’s Drought and Soil Survey — found here at https://bit.ly/WHEATSRVY — is available online until May 1, WSDA said. Because the survey is long, WSDA also said it can be completed over the course of multiple online sessions and does not have to be filled out all at once.

Farmers will be asked how they manage soils, the cost of different soil management practices, and the effects of the 2021 drought on their operations, WSDA said. Survey takers will be anonymous, the department said, but a summary of results will be published.

The Soil Health Initiative is a joint effort by WSDA, Washington State University and the Washington State Conservation Commission.