Rachel Sun/NWPB
A majority of small family farms in the United States operate with high-risk profit margins. Four years ago, Roni Ryan started goat yoga at her farmstead in Poulsbo, Wash., and it’s been a major source of income since then. But with an increasing number of challenges, even adorable baby animals may not keep her farm in the black.
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Jacob Ford / Wenatchee WorldAbout 3,700 farms closed in Washington within five years. Today, farmers are struggling to keep their farms open. They point to high labor costs, government regulations and market pressures, causing some to consolidate operations or sell off land and end production. -
Katie Bernotsky, Zooey Li, Naz Israyelyan/UnsplashPeople in the U.S. are predicted to spend a record $13 billion this Halloween. Nearly a billion of that is on costumes for pets. -
Annie Warren/NWPBMore than 700 workers at the Hanford site in southeast Washington state could be furloughed because of the U.S. government shutdown.
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Parks Tacoma, the city’s parks and recreation district, is dealing with a combination of less revenue than expected and more expenses, making for a shortfall of $8 million dollars. In response, the district cut some jobs last week.The district laid off 14 staff members, and another 10 employees opted to take voluntary separation packages. The district also paused filling 25 vacant positions. -
It's grape harvesting season across the country. But a global drop in demand for wine has led to a grape glut, and many vineyards in the U.S. are struggling. -
A new program in eastern Washignton hopes to help people develop a new skill – and earn some pocket money. It’s all starting with donated sewing machines and fabric. -
The Trump administration has proposed a55% cut to the National Science Foundation.U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, of Washington, and U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen,… -
Winter-weathered wine grape canes are sheared from cordons and fall to pruners' feet. The brittle twigs cascade in every direction, littering the stripes… -
Many USDA researchers working in the Northwest are fired, worked on everything from hops to potatoesFrancisco Gonzalez, 36, said he has a new house, furniture and a car to pay for. Plus, his wife and two young daughters.“Now we’re stuck with these… -
For days, the Gwen Fire blazed across the Clearwater Canyon, destroying parts of North Idaho wine country. Rivaura Estate Vineyard and Winery sits on the… -
The major failing irrigation culverts that run under Interstate-82 between Yakima and the Tri-Cities have caused havoc for east-west truckers and… -
The Black Lens, Spokane’s Black newspaper, is back, is more accessible, and showcases more voices from the Black community.Founder of The Black Lens,… -
In the quiet intention of morning, Mike Easton runs his floured hands over sheets of wide pasta. It makes a rhythmic shhhhhhhhhhh, shhhhhhhhhhhh shushing…
