By DAN NEWHOUSE

For the Capital Press

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is proud of our heritage of innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit of our employees. The organization is not satisfied with the answer: "We've always done it that way."

It was that reputation for continual improvement and helping farmers and businesses be successful that encouraged me to take on the responsibilities of WSDA director.

Examples of innovative thinking can be found in everything we do. For example, our Small Farms team is spearheading a pilot project this year that helps farmers sell their produce directly to state employees. In essence, we're bringing the farmers' market to the office every week all summer long. The idea, while simple, has generated $40,000 in sales to three local growers. And our people love the fresh, healthy produce.

During this global economic slowdown, WSDA is constantly seeking to do more to support the vitality of our state's economy. With my new Farm-to-Market Initiative, I've laid down a challenge to my WSDA employees and our industry partners. I'm looking for ambitious, achievable innovation that will improve the competitiveness of Washington agricultural enterprises.

By augmenting existing WSDA business practices and developing new tools for Washington food and agriculture businesses, we can help employers be more successful and create new jobs.

The Farm-to-Market Initiative is not a one-time program review of our existing services to make sure we're on target. This new concept is about improving WSDA services that lead directly to marketing opportunities, higher profit margins and job growth for Washington businesses. I want to help Washington agricultural enterprises find new venues for success in the 21st Century marketplace.

Many Farm-to-Market Initiative proposals may be implemented without new funding, while others will need some seed money. I intend to use part of this year's $3 million USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant to support ideas that show promise.

To focus program innovation, I'm starting with opportunities in three areas:

* Institutional markets for farm products, such as schools and food banks.

* Domestic markets, both in your neighborhood and across the country.

* Overseas markets, especially emerging opportunities in Asia and Latin America.

In the international arena, trade remains critically important to the success of Washington's farms and food businesses. About 30 percent of everything we grow here is exported, while 1 in 3 Washington jobs is dependent on international trade.

I believe it's vital that we continue to support economic development and jobs by promoting new export opportunities for Washington businesses. WSDA plays a key role in government-to-government discussions on market access issues, as well as connecting small and medium-sized businesses with overseas buyers.

This month, I will join Gov. Chris Gregoire on a foreign trade mission to China and Vietnam. China is already our third-largest market for agricultural exports. And Vietnam, as a rapidly developing economy, presents enormous potential for future exports.

We'll be joined by apple, potato, wine and other businesses interested in meeting with buyers and promoting their products to foreign consumers.

Because these missions pay such big dividends, we're using federal funds to pursue other trade opportunities in India, Mexico and other destinations in the coming year.

Our international efforts will have three areas of emphasis:

* Market our products to overseas consumers and retailers.

* Resolve trade barriers raised against Washington products.

* Scout emerging trade opportunities.

Gregoire shares my enthusiasm for this strategy to support innovation at WSDA.

She is incorporating our efforts into her initiative to grow jobs here at home by boosting international trade by 30 percent over the next five years.

Whether we're seeking new domestic or international opportunities, this Farm-to-Market initiative will only be successful if we develop constructive partnerships with the agriculture industry. My expectations are high, but we need our customers to bring their best ideas to the table.

Where are the gaps in our current services? What can we do better? My door is always open and I have directed my staff to reach out to farmers and food businesses for input.

Dwindling state resources require even those WSDA programs that support economic development to increase our return on investment to the customer and the taxpayer. As we find new ways to work together, improved WSDA services will lead directly to stronger businesses and a brighter economy in Washington.

Dan Newhouse is director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture. He and his wife Carol farm 600 acres in Yakima County.