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Updated 5/28/2009

Commodity Inspection Division

Kennith Harden, Acting Assistant Director (360) 902-1827
Maryann Connell, Division Coordinator (360) 902-1828

Programs

The Commodity Inspection Division provides unbiased, third party inspection for a wide variety of Washington State agricultural products. The four programs within the Division provide verification services of product quality, condition, and volume as well as certification on the freedom from quarantine pests and diseases for international export markets. These programs operate on delegated authority from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the agencies of the Federal Grain Inspection Service, Agricultural Marketing Service and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The State of Washington is unique in the function of providing a comprehensive package of federal inspection services through fee-based, state sponsored programs.

Fruit and Vegetable Inspection

The Fruit and Vegetable Inspection program provides inspection services to the fresh produce and processing industry to ensure orderly marketing of fruits and vegetables. Major commodities inspected include apples, pears, cherries, peaches, asparagus, potatoes and onions. These commodities are inspected for quality, size, labeling, condition, and contract specifications, and may be certified as free from disease and insects as required by domestic and international markets. These services are provided through district offices in Yakima and Wenatchee and ten field offices located throughout the state. This self-supporting, fee-for-service program is the largest in the agency, accounting for about 30% of the agency's employees and about 20% of the agency's expenditures.

Grain Inspection

The Grain Inspection program provides inspection, analytical and weighing services to ensure orderly commerce for grain, dry peas, dry beans, lentils and similar commodities sold in or from Washington. These services are provided at eight grain inspection facilities located throughout the state (Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Kalama, Vancouver, Pasco, Spokane, and Colfax). The program, as required by federal law, provides service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, upon request. This fee-for-service program is the second largest program in the agency in terms of employees and estimated expenditures.

Seed Inspection/Certification

The Seed Inspection/Certification program conducts pre-harvest field inspections and laboratory testing of agricultural, vegetable and flower seeds grown under the seed certification program. The program tests seed samples submitted by seed growers and companies to determine compliance with purity and germination standards, and to certify seed for domestic and international marketing. The program operates the state's only official seed testing laboratory in Yakima. This is a self-supporting, fee-for-service program.

Warehouse Audit

The Grain Warehouse Audit program protects grain producers from undue losses by requiring licensing and bonding of grain storage warehouses and grain dealers. The program audits each licensee to assure producers and depositors that the warehouses and dealers are meeting requirements to cover storage and contractual obligations. This program is funded by license fees.