Columbia Basin Development League

08/24/2026

Whole Foods Market and the National Young Farmers Coalition have launched the Next Generation Farmer Fund, with a goal of raising at least $1 million to support beginning and young farmers.

The fund will provide grants of $10,000 to $50,000 to help farmers under 40 and beginning farmers working toward organic, regenerative and responsible farming practices—an important investment as agriculture faces an aging workforce and significant barriers for the next generation.

Supporting young farmers means supporting the future of agriculture, our food supply and the communities that depend on both.

👉 Read the full story in Forbes.

The nation's leading natural grocer will match up to $500 thousand to help first generation farmers create sustainable businesses

08/24/2026

Washington Ecology has issued new guidance clarifying how certain water right change applications will be processed within the Columbia Basin Project.

Learn what the policy could mean for irrigation districts, landowners and water management across the Basin in the latest issue of Voice of the Project.

Read the full story here: https://publuu.com/flip-book/919967/2559598/page/22

08/21/2026

What do state budget pressures, water planning and the road to 2027 mean for the Columbia Basin Project?

In the latest Voice of the Project, Kyla Shkerich Blair examines Washington’s revenue outlook, transportation funding challenges and the policy landscape ahead.

Read the full update here: https://publuu.com/flip-book/919967/2559598/page/18

📸 Kyla Shkerich Blair, Capitol Path Consulting

08/21/2026

The Columbia Basin Development League was proud to host Senator Murray’s regional and DC staff for a tour of the Columbia Basin Project, highlighting its vital role in supporting agriculture, water security, and economic strength across the region.

We appreciate Rep. Mary Dye, NRCS, the Bureau of Reclamation, and leaders from East, Quincy, and South Columbia Irrigation Districts for joining the tour and underscoring our shared commitment to advancing the Columbia Basin Project.

08/19/2026

On August 14, the Columbia Basin Development League and East Columbia Basin Irrigation District welcomed state legislators and regional partners for a firsthand look at the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP).

The tour included stops at the 84.7 and 80.6 delivery systems, where participants saw progress underway and discussed why continued investment in this critical water infrastructure matters—for farmers, rural communities, our economy and the long-term sustainability of the Columbia Basin.

Thank you to Rep. Alex Ybarra, Sen. Judy Warnick, Rep. Tom Dent, Rep. Stephanie Barnard, Sen. Mark Schoesler and Sen. Yasmin Trudeau for taking the time to come to the Basin, ask questions and see this important work firsthand.

Strong partnerships and informed leadership are essential to moving OGWRP forward. Thank you for showing up for the Basin. 💧🌾

08/19/2026

What comes next for the Farm Bill—and what could it mean for Columbia Basin Project and Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program funding?

In the latest Voice of the Project legislative update, John Culton examines the work ahead in the Senate, the FY27 appropriations process and future federal conservation funding.

Read the full update here: https://publuu.com/flip-book/919967/2559598/page/16

📸 John Culton with Capitol Path Consulting

08/17/2026

USDA-NRCS investments continue to build momentum for the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program.

Since 2022, nearly $46 million in Regional Conservation Partnership Program funding has helped advance public delivery systems and on-farm infrastructure—supporting the long-term future of water and agriculture in the Columbia Basin.

Read the full story in the latest issue of Voice of the Project here: https://publuu.com/flip-book/919967/2559598/page/12

📸 Kristina Ribellia is Executive Director of Columbia Basin Conservation District.

08/14/2026

A big thank you to Sentinel Ag, an Innovator Sponsor of the 2026 Columbia Basin Development League Conference & Annual Meeting! 🌱💧

Sponsor support helps CBDL bring together leaders from across the Columbia Basin to connect, learn and strengthen the future of the Columbia Basin Project.

Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available! Showcase your organization and support this important regional event, November 11–13 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.

👉 Learn more about sponsorship opportunities at the link below.
https://cbdl.org/Events/2026-Conference-Sponsorship

08/14/2026

Progress continues on the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program.

A June groundbreaking for the EL 80.6 delivery system marked another major step toward bringing Columbia Basin Project surface water to 5,862 acres and reducing reliance on the declining Odessa aquifer.

Read the full story in the latest issue of Voice of the Project here: https://publuu.com/flip-book/919967/2559598/page/10

08/12/2026

A House-passed Farm Bill amendment could strengthen future federal funding opportunities for the Columbia Basin Project and the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program.

Learn what the amendment could mean for water reliability, agriculture and communities across the region in the latest issue of Voice of the Project.

Read the full story here: https://publuu.com/flip-book/919967/2559598/page/8