[Mb-civic] Organic Crop Research

[Lyle K'ang]

Smart investments

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD

State lawmakers sometimes search for ways to help agriculture, a vital part of Washington's economy. They ought to look at a cause Sen. Patty Murray and other members of Congress from Washington have championed with potentially big rewards for farmers, consumers and the environment.

Among $17 million for state agriculture research and promotion in the recent federal budget was a small but significant amount for organic crops research and education. Some $360,000 will go to Washington State University's Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources.

That's a smart investment. Advocates for organic farmers say that WSU is doing better than many land-grant universities nationally in supporting farmers' increasing interest in the high-value products.

But there's certainly more that could be done with greater state support. The Bellingham-based Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network, PCC Natural Markets and others are backing an effort to win up to $4 million in new state support for a comprehensive WSU program on organic and biologically intensive agriculture.

WSU is putting considerable budget emphasis on research involving genetically modified crops. At the same time, legislators ought to consider spurring organic work. Amid rapid changes for farmers, balancing between high-tech and traditional methods makes sense.


Lyle K'ang,
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