State

Michele Kiesz, a grower from Adams County and a Washington Association of Wheat Growers board member, testified this morning in front of the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee against E3SHB 1091, a bill that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the carbon intensity of transportation field (a low carbon fuel standard, or LCFS, bill). Here is her testimony: ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist Thursday marked the halfway point of this year’s 105-day regular legislative session, which is scheduled to end on April 25. Lawmakers in both chambers have been debating and taking votes on dozens of bills in lengthy day and late evening sessions for the past two weeks. Unless considered Necessary to Implement the Budget, all bills ... Read More »

Ryan Poe, president of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers testified today in a hearing in the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee on SB 5373, a carbon tax bill. You can watch the hearing here. Below is Poe’s testimony. Good morning Chair Carlyle and members of the committee: My name is Ryan Poe and I am a fifth generation ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist Monday, Feb. 22, was the second legislative deadline, when all bills must have been voted out of their respective fiscal committees to remain “alive.” Since then, the Legislature has mostly ceased committee action and is focused on floor action for the time being, which entails the entire chamber (either the House of Representatives or the ... Read More »

The lower Snake River and its four dams is a multi-purpose system balancing economic benefits and environmental protection for the entire Pacific Northwest. The dams continue to make our region strong and balanced by irrigating our farms, shipping our goods, generating clean power, and supporting our economies. Join Karl for the sixth episode of the 22nd Annual Tri-Cities Regional Economic ... Read More »

From the Capital Press The Washington Legislature has before it a proposal to require the use of low-carbon fuels in cars and trucks. The fuels, mixtures that would include more ethanol and diesel made from cooking oil, canola and other feedstocks, would reduce the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere. While farm equipment would be exempt from the low ... Read More »

The statewide temperatures in Washington for the month of February were below normal throughout the state. In western Washington, crops were doing well. In Jefferson County, most areas received eight or more inches of snow. The snow was gone within a week, which caused no harm to grass, winter wheat and cover crops. In San Juan County, pasture lands and ... Read More »

By Trista Crossley At this time of year, most of the farm action is happening inside as growers are reminded of rapidly approaching farm program deadlines. State leaders from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reviewed programs and deadlines and answered growers’ questions during a webinar last week as part of the Agricultural Marketing ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist Yesterday was the 43rd day of the 2021 Legislative Session and the second legislative cutoff date when bills must make it out of their fiscal committees to remain alive. After yesterday’s cutoff, the Legislature will largely cease committee action and focus on floor action, which entails the entire chamber (either the House of Representatives or ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Washington House Democrats are again moving to adopt a low-carbon fuel standard, and farm groups continue to be among those pushing back. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »