"Snohomish County officials Tuesday dedicated a new facility to store, dry and crush seed oil that will be refined locally into biodiesel and used to power county vehicles. Although it's a small project, officials say it creates a new cash crop for struggling farmers and a clean, renewable fuel source for the county." (rest of article)

After years of work, farm-based biodiesel finally arrives in Western Washington. It is amazing how much persistence and patience are required to accomplish even small projects with obvious benefits in an industry so prized by the state. Snohomish County leaders and local farm and business advocates are to be commended for keeping the vision alive.

The IWF assisted in winning a state grant for the oilseed crusher operation (due early next year), and is conducting a study to help a local farmer establish an oilseed harvesting operation. It will continue its work developing mustard meal (a byproduct of the crushing process) as an organic soil amendment in partnership with WSU; we've requested support funds from the USDA. Now we'll see if these mustard and canola crops can really do what we've been saying they can -- power a community, while making farms better.