Support state’s seed industry by preventing volunteer Brassica bloom

Victor Shaul
Manager, Seed Inspection Program

Harvesting seed crop in Skagit County

If you grow any type of Brassica species, remember that any plants left to bloom and produce seeds are regulated within Washington State. Brassica plants that go to seed must be isolated from other Brassica flowering crops to protect against cross-pollination.

Seed production is an important industry for Washington’s economy and for world food supply. For instance, one-quarter of the world’s cabbage seed comes from Western Washington. More than 15 species of Brassica vegetable seed crops are grown in Washington. To safeguard the purity of these products, crops must be isolated by specific distances to prevent cross-pollination.

Common names for plants within the Brassica family – also known as Crucifer family because the 4 petals of the flowers look like a cross or crucifer – include cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, mustard, rutabaga, turnip, pak choi, and others.

When open-pollinated species like Brassica species are allowed to bolt, flower and go to seed, they can spread pollen to neighboring fields and farms, contaminating other Brassica seed crops. This has been happening, especially in northwestern Washington counties.

Why “pin” seed crops?

Growers of Brassica crops intended for fresh market sale may not allow their plants to over-winter and go to seed unless they follow the state’s rules. WSDA regulations require Brassica seed growers to participate in cooperative events that identify (‘pin’) their crop locations. This applies to “seed savers” as well.  If you intend to allow a Brassica crop to overwinter and produce seed, you must identify the location of that field on a public map.

‘Pinning’ the locations of cross-pollinated seed crops, which started in Washington State in the 1940s, brings together seed crop growers to mutually map out where crops will be planted with the goal of preventing unwanted cross-pollination. At a minimum, a half-mile distance is required between Brassica plantings of the same species. The distance is greater for different Brassica species.

In Western Washington, pinning days occur the first weekday of March and June at the WSU Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research & Extension Center in Mount Vernon. Similarly, pinning of cross-pollinated vegetable seed crops in central Washington takes place at the WSU Grant and Adams Counties Extension office in Moses Lake. This time-honored tradition of agricultural cooperation keeps the reputation of our state’s seed industry as high quality, safe, and productive.

Please do your part to support Washington’s seed industry – be a good neighbor by preventing volunteer Brassica bloom, or take part in the state’s pinning process if you want to produce seed.

If you have questions, contact the WSDA Seed Program or your local WSU Extension office.

In summary: WSDA is reminding farmers of Brassica crops that plants left to bloom and produce seeds are regulated in our state and must be isolated from other Brassica flowering crops to protect against cross-pollination. 

Path to industrial hemp program contains excitement and challenge

Emily Febles
Industrial Hemp Research Pilot coordinator

When House Bill 6206 became effective in June, Washington’s Industrial Hemp Research Pilot (IHRP) took its first steps on a long journey leading ultimately to planting a state crop that has not been seen in the state for over 70 years. This journey is beginning with thoughtful initial steps to create a stable base from which the program can grow into a robust industry. 

As with any trek, we will encounter challenges along the way. One of our first is obtaining a license from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to import industrial hemp seeds. Once we have a license, we will begin choosing the best certified seeds to start Washington’s program with high quality, dependable seed stock. We’ve already been in contact with some industrial hemp seed suppliers around the world. We hope these connections position Washington to plant in spring 2017. 

Along our way, we’re also creating new rules of the road. Travelers accompanying WSDA on this path are farmers, business operators, researchers, backyard growers, elected officials and others. By working together on rulemaking, we’ll design the most sustainable program to take us into the future. 

Learning and connecting on our way

Washington's Industrial Hemp Research Pilot coordinator, Emily
Febles, presenting at a WSU conference on Sept. 30

We’re already learning useful things along our way. For instance, I recently participated on a panel at a Washington State University forum focused on cannabis research opportunities. The opportunity allowed me to meet and build relationships with many WSU researchers and scientists who will be vital to meeting the research goals of this new program.

The federal government seems to have a growing acceptance of industrial hemp, when it’s grown in compliance with federal law. For example, the USDA recently released information on how to certify industrial hemp as organic and how universities can get federal funding to study industrial hemp agriculture.

I’ve been fortunate to meet and speak with many of you who are interested in building this new program. Interest and enthusiasm levels are high. I encourage anyone who wants to keep updated on the status of this historic voyage to email hemp@agr.wa.gov and join the IHRP email list. 

Together we’ll keep moving forward, one foot in front of the other.