WAWG
From Pacific Northwest Ag Network Now is a difficult time in farm country across the U.S. But many farm groups in Washington argue that times are even more challenging for producers and growers in the Evergreen State. Michelle Hennings, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers said during a recent trip to Olympia, she spoke to lawmakers about the issue of ag viability in ... Read More »
State
River Highway – Part 1 // Journey down the Columbia/Snake River
The Columbia/Snake River transports millions of tons of cargo every year, but most people have never seen it in action. Ride along with me as I hitch a ride on a tugboat hauling grain from the wheat fields of Eastern Washington to the terminal depots of Portland, Vancouver, and Longview. Part 1 of 4 – Central Ferry, WA to Lyons ... Read More »
New Washington FSA director: Farmers and ranchers first
From the Capital Press Patrick Bell took over as the new state executive director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Washington Jan. 6. Read the article here. Read More »
WAWG State Legislative Report, week 5
By Diana Carlen Lobbyist, Washington Association of Wheat Growers The Legislature has completed its fifth week of the session. On Feb. 9, legislators reached the second major deadline of session which was the fiscal cutoff date. Bills with a fiscal impact had to pass out of the respective budget and transportation committees by that deadline unless they are “Necessary to ... Read More »
Legislation offers little relief as Washington ag slumps
From the Capital Press Washington lawmakers are advancing bills that could make farming more expensive, while legislation to cut labor costs and taxes languishes. The state ranks 14th in the U.S. in gross farm income, but 46th in net cash income, according to the USDA. Only farms in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Alaska are less profitable. Read the ... Read More »
WAWG State Legislative Report, week 4
By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist The 2026 Legislative Session reached its first important deadline on Feb. 4, as policy committee cutoff occurred. Any bills that have not made it out of a policy committee are considered dead and no longer eligible to move forward this year. Legislation not subject to the deadline includes bills that have been passed to fiscal ... Read More »
January was unusually dry and warm in Washington
From the National Agricultural Statistics Service In Washington, January was unusually dry and warm. Western Washington observed 14 consecutive days without measurable rain, and temperatures were unseasonably warm. The dry streak ended by the end of the month. Dry January weather worsened snow water equivalent in the Cascade Range and across most of Washington. In Central Washington, farmers were worried about the impact ... Read More »
WAWG State Legislative Report, Week 3
By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist Saturday, Jan. 31, marked the 20th day of session, with 40 days left to go. The third week brought another hectic week with the first legislative deadline fast approaching. The first legislative deadline is Feb. 4, which is the policy cut-off deadline. All bills must be passed out of their respective policy committees by this ... Read More »
Legislation offers little relief as Washington ag slumps
From the Capital Press Washington lawmakers are advancing bills that could make farming more expensive, while legislation to cut labor costs and taxes languishes. The state ranks 14th in the U.S. in gross farm income, but 46th in net cash income, according to the USDA. Only farms in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Alaska are less profitable. Read the ... Read More »
Opinion: Washington lost 3,700 farms in 5 years. Here’s how to slow the trend
By Jon DeVaney Special to the Seattle Times More and more of our Washington state apple, pear and cherry growers are being forced out of business by circumstances beyond their control. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Census of Agriculture, Washington state lost 3,700 farms between 2017 and 2022 — more than two farms per day. The number of ... Read More »