OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Agriculture is launching its second year of the Compost Reimbursement Program to continue to encourage on-farm compost use, according to an announcement from WSDA. 

All commercial Washington farmers — including those in agriculture, silviculture and aquaculture — are eligible for the program, according to the announcement. Participating farms 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 an approved compost facility. 

The Washington State Legislature instituted several changes to the program that take effect this year, the WSDA wrote. These changes include prioritizing applications based on the presence of food-waste feedstock in the compost to be purchased, as well as distributing reimbursement funding based on farm size. Additionally, compost may now be purchased from Washington compost facilities that either have a solid waste handling permit or are permit-exempt. 

Applications will be accepted through Sept. 12. This year, applicants will be required to provide: a Statewide Vendor Number, a quote from the compost facility where the compost will be purchased and an estimated budget outlining proposed costs. 

Producers must apply to and be approved for the program, ensuring their business and compost source are eligible, according to the announcement Once conditionally approved, program participants must sign a grant agreement contract to become a participant in the program. The grant agreement contract must be signed prior to making purchases and the soil sample must be collected before applying compost. After expenses are incurred, applicants will submit a single reimbursement form for all expenses to WSDA. 

The Washington State Legislature established the Compost Reimbursement Program in 2023 when it passed and funded Revised Code of Washington 15.04.420. 

More information about the Compost Reimbursement Program is available at https://bit.ly/WSDACompost or by emailing [email protected].