Canola fields expanding fast in Eastern Washington

Travelers driving through the rolling hills of the Palouse this summer may have noticed more fields that glow bright yellow. The yellow blossoms belong to the canola plant, which has become a hot commodity for Eastern Washington farmers. Canola production and planting acreage in Washington has increased steadily over the last 10 years, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 2011, around 11,000 acres were planted with canola, compared to more than 118,000 acres planted in 2021. In Whitman County alone, canola acreage doubled year-to-year in 2021. Karen Sowers, executive director of Pacific Northwest Canola, said she has seen the interest in canola grow significantly over the last few years. In her role with the canola advocacy group, Sowers helps connect potential growers with resources, whether it's tips from longtime growers or new research from institutions like Washington State University. "The acres have just blown up," Sowers said. "You can see it in Whitman County where it doubled and even Spokane County just about doubled, too. There's definitely more acres out there." ...