OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has offered $350,000 in Farm to School Purchasing grants to 24 applicants for the grant period July 2024 – June 2025. School districts, childcare providers, a tribal school and native-led early learning center will use the grants to serve high quality, nutritious and culturally relevant foods grown, raised, caught or foraged by producers in Washington state. WSDA's Farm to School Purchasing Grants are possible thanks to the Washington State Legislature’s ongoing investment in farm to school.
WSDA received 37 applications this round with requests totaling over $1 million, more than triple the available funding. This is the second round of funding made available during the 2023 – 2025 biennium, with $3.7 million awarded in Fall 2023 for a total of over $4 million across 128 Farm to School Purchasing Grant awards this biennium. To maximize reach while ensuring impact of grant funds, WSDA awarded most school district applicants in both funding rounds with partial funding, while recognizing the need is much greater as competition for grant funds has increased.
Grant amounts for the current period range from $1,000 to $96,000. Awarded applicants will use the grant funds to expand their farm to school connections with purchases of eligible Washington-grown foods. Awardees may use up to 25% of their total grant for costs such as materials, supplies, equipment and labor that directly support the development and sustainability of their efforts to include and highlight foods grown and raised in Washington state as an ongoing part of their child nutrition programs.
To date, WSDA has awarded 268 Farm to School Purchasing Grants across four funding cycles, totaling $8.4 million to support new, continued and expanded farm to school purchasing relationships.
“One of our goals with this grant program is to strengthen Washington’s food systems at the regional level, while helping to ensure that more locally-produced food is consumed by children in our schools,” Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison said.
The Washington state 2023 – 2025 biennium budget includes $5 million in ongoing funding for WSDA’s Farm to School program, including the Farm to School Purchasing Grant Program.
For more information, visit agr.wa.gov/FarmToSchool or email farmtoschool@agr.wa.gov. The grant program is part of WSDA’s Focus on Food Initiative, ensuring safe, nutritious, local food is effectively produced and available throughout our state.
ref. https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=39121&culture=en-us
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
AG Ferguson: Jury orders Wenatchee, Kennewick veterans nonprofit, CEO to pay $1.5M for sexually harassing 12 women./WAAG
Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation and Department of Commerce sign agreement establishing government-to-government relations/WA COMMERCE DEPT.
New labeling standards will make it easier to determine what packaging is compostable.
In March 2024, the Washington State Legislature passed Organics Management Law 2.0 (OML 2.0), including changes to the compostable product labeling standards (“Plastic Product Degradability,” chapter 70A.455 RCW). Below is a summary of key updates that go into effect June 6, 2024./DOE
Buzz into our next Let's Talk About Hanford
Pollinators of Hanford and Southern Central Washington.
For this conversation, we’re welcoming back George Peck, an environmental specialist from our Nuclear Waste Program. George works in the program’s waste management section, but is also a professional entomologist, or insect expert./DOE
https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/june-2024/buzz-into-our-next-let-s-talk-about-hanford
Nominate employers who recruit, hire and promote workers with disabilities.
OLYMPIA – To spotlight the important role disability plays in workforce diversity, the Washington State Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment is opening nominations for the 32nd Annual Governor’s Employer Awards./ESD
https://www.esd.wa.gov/newsroom/annual-employer-awards
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:
Cantwell on Anti-Choice Activists Coming For Birth Control: “They’re Not Done.”
Cantwell delivers floor speech before vote to codify right to contraception into federal law & joins Schumer for press conference after; Bill receives majority vote, but falls short of 60 votes needed to advance; Reproductive care in pro- and anti-choice states is interconnected; UW study found 50% spike in abortions performed for out-of-state patients in WA since Dobbs decision./From a press release issued 6/5/24
At Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hearing, Murray Speaks to Personal Sacrifices Made by Veteran Caregivers, Asks About VA Support, Mental Health, and Helping Heroes Act
Murray, former Chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, oversaw implementation of the Caregivers Program, led passage of its expansion, and has been a longtime advocate for improving support for veteran caregivers including leading the Helping Heroes Act/ from a press release issued 6/5/24from a press release issued 6/5/24
Murray, Duckworth, Booker Unveil Sweeping New Bill to Establish a Nationwide Right to IVF and Lower IVF Costs for Families—Legislation Will Receive a Vote in the Senate Next Week
The Right to IVF Act represents the Senate Democrats’ commitment to make it easier for all Americans to access and afford IVF treatment needed to build their families/From a press release issued 6/6/24From a press release issued 6/6/24
WORLD< NATION< BUSINESS
WORLD:
General Assembly Elects Philémon Yang of Cameroon President of Seventy-Ninth Session, Selects Main Committee Bureaus
Pakistan, Somalia, Panama, Denmark, Greece Elected Non-Permanent Members of Security Council for 2025-2026 Term./ UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/ga12605.doc.htm
Despite Our Differences, ‘Those Who Serve Under the UN Flag Are Entitled to Protection’, Says Secretary-General, at Memorial Service for Fallen Staff/UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sgsm22256.doc.htm
Humanity Needs ‘Exit Ramp off Road to Climate Hell’, Secretary-General Insists, Urging Bolder, Faster Action to Save Planet, in Address at American Natural History Museum/UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sgsm22255.doc.htm
Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Mika Brzezinski, Jonathan Lemire, and Michael Barnicle of MSNBC’s Morning Joe/US STATE DEPT.
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Ukraine/USUN
https://usun.usmission.gov/remarks-at-a-un-security-council-briefing-on-ukraine-16/
NATION:
DOD Hosts International Cohort as Part of State Department Exchange.
Officials from the Defense Department's Office of Inspector General hosted government officials, academics and journalists from 19 countries this week for a discussion on their roles in ensuring accountability and transparency within the United States' largest federal agency. This is the last of a series of four similar meetings for over 60 participants from 37 countries./DOD
Five Individuals Arrested for Defrauding Medicare of Over $15M Through Sham Hospices and Money Laundering.
Five individuals were arrested yesterday in Los Angeles on criminal charges related to their roles in a years-long scheme to defraud Medicare of more than $15 million through sham hospice companies and then to launder the fraud proceeds. /DOJ
HUD Celebrates Annual National Homeownership Month
The June celebration reinforces the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to supporting affordable homeownership and lowering housing costs for American families./HUD
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_24_135
CDC Warns of Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cucumbers./CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0605-salmonella.html
Biden-Harris Administration Leaders Announce Steps to Advance Offshore Wind Progress in Maryland
Memorandum of Understanding between BOEM and Maryland will strengthen efforts to meet President Biden’s historic clean energy goals/DEPT. of INTERIOR
BUSINESS:
Mexico's Moment of Promise Comes with Risks for Its New President
Voters across the world are holding elections this year, but the U.S. business community has a particular interest in Mexico, which is changing leadership at a moment of both great economic promise and significant challenges for the country./US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Raimondo Announces IPEF Agreements Signed in Singapore, Announces $23B in Priority Infrastructure Projects at Inaugural Clean Economy Investor Forum/US COMMERCE DEPT.
Remarks by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen at the Financial Stability Oversight Council Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Financial Stability/ US TREASURY
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2395
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Actions to Strengthen Tribal Food Sovereignty, Co-Stewardship, and Knowledge of Tribal Agriculture Policy/USDA
A New Class of Trailblazers
Governor Lisa D. Cook
At the Girls Global Academy 2024 Commencement Ceremony, Washington, D.C./THE FED
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/cook20240607a.htm
IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS:
IN FOCUS: Office of the Secretary of State issues Washington’s first digital apostille.
New digital document program enables quicker delivery and secure authentication of documents for use abroad
OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State has issued its first digital apostille to authenticate a document as part of a pilot program with the City University of Seattle and @Gov, Inc., a Virginia-based company.
An apostille is an authentication, similar to notarization, issued to documents for use in countries participating in the 1961 Hague Convention treaty that simplifies the legalization of documents for use abroad, including FBI background checks, medical certificates, and transcripts.
The digital apostille authenticated a diploma, and was issued on behalf of an international student who graduated from the City University of Seattle.
International students’ home countries require diplomas to be recognized in their country, and a digitally authenticated diploma improves both processing time and security. Processing time for a paper diploma and apostille can extend to four or six weeks. With the new digital apostille, or e-apostille, certification can be available in days, not weeks.
“I am so excited for this digital option to be available to communities across Washington, even beyond the classroom,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said. “This allows quicker processing times and reduced expense, and it’s verifiably secure and encrypted.”
Launched in February 2024, this e-apostille pilot program allows the Corporations and Charities division of the Office of the Secretary of State to provide a digital version of the apostille using technology provided by @Gov. Washington is the seventh state to provide this service, joining Montana, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland, Utah, and Minnesota. @Gov has digitally certified over 500 e-apostilles to over 45 countries.
“This program is a game-changer for our international students,” Antonio Esqueda Flores, Senior Director of International Student Services at City University of Seattle said. “A paper apostille can only be shared once because of the watermark, but this digital version will allow students to share their diplomas multiple times for at least five years.”
Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees areas within state government including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. The office operates the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, and administers the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees and the Productivity Board state employee suggestion program. The Office of the Secretary of State also oversees the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.
@Gov, Inc., based in Virginia Beach, provides platform solutions for the production of secure, verifiable paper and digital documents to state and federal governments. The company focuses on safeguarding government documents, ensuring secure delivery to recipients, and leveraging its multiple patents to guarantee absolute proof of document authenticity. These principles form the cornerstone of all @Gov’s products and platforms.
Since 1973, City University of Seattle has been relentlessly reimagining higher education in the Pacific Northwest and around the world. As an accredited, private, nonprofit university, our mission is to provide career-relevant education to busy students who want to advance their careers and compete in the global marketplace.
Today, CityU is recognized as a Top 10 educator of adults nationwide, offering over 65 degree and certificate programs in business, leadership, education, project management, health and human services, and computer and information systems. Whether students study on-site or online, they learn from practitioner faculty and network with alumni employed at Seattle’s top companies. From the day they enroll, students have an entire team of support that’s committed to helping them finish their degree and achieve their goals.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County commissioner work session for 6/10/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06102024-1208
Clallam County Commission meeting for 6/11/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06112024-1209
City of Sequim Council meeting for 6/10/24
https://sequimwa.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=117
City of Forks Council meeting for 6/10/24
https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Agenda-20240610.pdf
Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 6/11/24
https://portofpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Comm-Pkt-6-11-24.pdf
Clallam County PUD meeting for 6/10/24
https://go.boarddocs.com/wa/clallampud/Board.nsf/Public
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 6/10/24
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/2b2c11c4-5ecc-4a04-9b89-183397cd4723
Port of Port Townsend Commission meeting for 6/12/24
https://portofpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-06-12-CommMtg-Agenda-1.pdf
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: Habakkuk 3:19 (New International Version)
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.
Weekly Bible Lesson:
Jesus Is Our High Priest, Advocate, and Mediator
“Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17).--TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/jesus-is-our-high-priest-advocate-and-mediator
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
THIS WEEKS VIDEOS
What Hollywood NEVER Understood About 'Duck Dynasty'
Willie Robertson, star of "Duck Dynasty" and part of the Robertson family (@WillieRobertsonOfficialChannel @PhilRobertsononBlazeTV,) reflects on his journey from Italy to running Duck Commander. In Florence, he gained an appreciation for art and culture, but you'll never believe what his actual college degree was. His entrepreneurial spirit began early with Willie’s Worms. Influenced by his father, Phil, and supported by his wife, Korie, he embraced the idea of a reality show to spread the gospel.
Discussing his new book, "Gospeler," Willie emphasizes the importance of active discipleship and connecting with others to spread faith, showcasing a story of hope, faith, and authenticity. In this episode, Willie shares the lessons he learned about business, the impact of family, and the importance of stepping out of comfort zones to make lasting connections. His journey from early entrepreneurial ventures to leading a multimillion-dollar hunting and outdoor business highlights the significance of resilience and vision. He discusses how his family’s authenticity, faith, and humor made "Duck Dynasty" a hit and stresses the need for believers to actively engage and share their faith with others. He also discusses the real-life situations that led to the hit movie “The Blind,” a biopic of patriarch Phil Robertson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLS23xG0KBk
Sunday Worship 6/2/2024- FOUR LAKES C. of C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHahabPGBvo
NIGHT OWL COMICS
https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
