The WFB Update

Here it is! This is the second half of our conversation with Stacey Crnich, CEO of GoodRoots Northwest. In case you missed Part 1, check it out right here and listen to the great stories that Stacey shared! Stacey shares with our listeners about the partnerships that she has developed with farmers and ranchers that are benefitting them both in big ways as well as some of the innovations that GoodRoots Northwest is developing. Check this second part of our conversation out!  GoodRoots Northwest has developed an amazing network and collaboration within their community between their food redistribution efforts and the local farmers and ranchers to help provide fresh foods to families in their area (and that area is growing fast). Visit GoodRoots Northwest online at www.goodroots.org.

This is the first half of our conversation with Stacey Crnich, CEO of GoodRoots Northwest. GoodRoots Northwest has developed an amazing network and collaboration within their community between their food redistribution efforts and the local farmers and ranchers to help provide fresh foods to families in their area (and that area is growing fast). Stacey shares with our listeners about the power of asking "Why?" and taking on hard tasks because people are worth it. Check this first part of our conversation out!  Check out GoodRoots Northwest online at www.goodroots.org.  

Tuesday, March 26, Governor Inslee vetoed section 6 of the SB 5784 to create an elk collaring pilot program with a data share agreement that farmers could access to track elk before they cross private property lines and cause damage to crops. The vetoed section was replaced with a cooperative agreement between Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Yakama Tribe. Additionally, SB 5784, increases overall funding for farmers who suffer damage from deer and elk, while capping individual claims for damaged crops at $30,000. “The Governor's solution to section 6 of the bill is concerning as the cooperative agreement provides no assurances that farmers will receive data from the collaring pilot program,” said Caleb Gwerder, WFB's Governmental Affairs Coordinator. “Without the data share agreement, farmers will continue to lose the battle against wildlife damages to crops.”

On Monday, March 18, Washington Farm Bureau joined stakeholders as Governor Inslee signed SB 5150 into law. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Shewmake, modifies the Beef Checkoff program by increasing the state's levied assessment on cattle while also introducing a refund program. 

Thursday, March 7, marked the final day of the 2024 Legislative Session. Washington Farm Bureau worked tirelessly throughout the session to help shape legislation that would impact agriculture within Washington. As the session concluded, key Farm Bureau leaders provided their perspective.

On Thursday, March 7, the gavel fell to close Washington State's 2024 Legislative Session. The various budgets have passed, a slew of bills are now working their way over to the Governor's desk, and Legislators are packing their bags to head home for the interim.   While there is always more work to do, this is a wonderful time to pause for a moment and reflect on the great progress and positive steps that Washington Farm Bureau was able to make during the 2024 legislative session. Check out our full bill list and see the status of all of the legislation WFB has been following this session.

With the final committee cutoff behind us, the remainder of the legislative session will be focused on floor action. Legislators will be negotiating together and meeting with stakeholders to fine-tune the remaining bills still in play.   Here are several ways that you can help us oppose the inclusion of a dredge and fill permit and fee in the state's supplemental operating budget: Are you active on Social Media? Share WFB's Facebook Post with others on your social media page. Do you have an active email following? Forward the Action Alert on to others via email. Do you have media contacts? Send the open letter from WFB President Rosella Mosby to any media contacts in your area. Would your friends, family, and neighbors care? Forward our press release and audio report to others. Listen to April Clayton's visit with John Carlson as they discuss the impacts new regulations are having on farms throughout the state.

As lawmakers wrap up the 2024 Legislative Session, budget leaders are working on a final agreement for the proposed supplemental operating budgets. The House version contains a budget proviso authorizing the Department of Ecology (Ecology) to create a dredge and fill permit and fee program. Washington Farm Bureau (WFB) opposes the proviso as it deeply impacts landowners who were not given the opportunity for a public debate to voice their perspective on this issue.

As policy committees wrapped up this week, the focus has readjusted to finances. Committees such as Appropriations, Ways and Means, Finance, Capital Budget, and Transportation are working through the enormous task of crafting the various supplemental budgets for our entire state. For a comparison report of all of the budgets, visit the Legislative Evaluation & Accountability Program (LEAP) Committee website. Read a detailed analysis of the supplemental budgets by WA Research Council. Check out A Citizen's Guide to the Washington State Budge Watch our visit with Rep. Mike Steele.  

Last Tuesday, February 6th, was the House of Origin Cutoff which means that all legislation needed to get voted out of the legislative body in which it originated. While we only have 20 days left, we still have several deadlines and important cut off dates that are still ahead!  Keep track of the legislative action by watching TVW's coverage of the legislature.  If you would like to look at the proposed budgets yourself, you can do so by visiting the Legislative Evaluation & Accountability Program Committee (LEAP) website. There you will find resources for understanding budget basics, detailed information the various state budgets, and the most up-to-date budget proposals.

WFB urges Senate action on organics bill amendment that impacts farmers and food banks. Local food banks find great significance of farm-to-food-bank partnerships in addressing food insecurity.

With several cutoffs behind us now, Legislators are working on their respective floors to vote bills to the other chamber. This week we're looking at legislation addressing things like Beef Checkoff, truck idling, and the H-2A Program. Don't know who your legislators are? Check out the District Finder on the Washington State Legislature website to find out! Watch our conversation with Senator Jesse Salomon. 

Last week we saw the legislature reach Policy Committee Cutoff and the Washington Farm Bureau hosted their Boots on the Hill event! Visit the Washington Legislature website to find your District.  Watch the Boots on the Hill recap video. Check out our conversation with Rep. Kristine Reeves.

The first legislative session deadline is looming ahead of us as policy cut-off is scheduled for next Wednesday!  Sign in SUPPORT on SB 5476.  Sign in OPPOSED on SB 5996. Watch our "Tour of the State Capitol" and share it with others that might be making a visit!

Washington Farm Bureau decries the state's prioritization of carbon market linkage over fixes to the broken Climate Commitment Act. We hear from a farmer in Klickitat County that is being impacted by the unlawful carbon price on agriculture.

This week's audio Legisletter covers committee hearings on wolf predation and a visit with Senator Wagoner as well as a look ahead to hearings on organic materials, agritourism, and water rights. Check it out!  Watch Senator Wagoner's Facebook Live visit Take a look at our Virtual Tour of the Capitol video!

The Washington Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs team has consistently been present at the capitol, representing the crucial agricultural sector, a sector integral to our daily existence. The past week witnessed discussions with committees on a variety of subjects, including budgets, workers' rights, waste management, crop protection, and carbon emissions. The voices of those in agriculture were expressed and people are listening. We shall see what next week has in store! Sign In OPPOSED to HB 2226 Sign In PRO to SB 5939 Read the recent editorial article in The Seattle Times  

Get up to speed on what WFB is watching as we head into the new 2024 Legislative Session! Pre-Session Legislative Webinar: In case you missed it, you can watch the rerun and get up to speed! Don't know who your legislators are? Check out the District Finder on the Washington State Legislature website to find out! If you're interested in watching a hearing or floor action, you can watch any of these via TVW. The Washington State Standard published an excellent breakdown of the legislative process and how it works.

In case you missed it, check out our 2024 Pre-Session Legislative Webinar that was hosted on January 3rd. You can listen to the audio version here. If you want to watch the webinar, you can do so by clicking here! 

A quick holiday wish to you as we celebrate the this joyous season! Have a wonderful Christmas and happy New Year! 

Washington Farm Bureau helped kick off the Senate's Committee Assembly Days. WFB Director of Governmental Affairs, Bre Elsey, was invited to present on two important issues to agriculture, overtime for workers and the fuel surcharge exemption to the Climate Commitment Act. Click here to watch the full work session.

Washington Farm Bureau Applauds Senate Republicans' “Cultivate Washington” Looking Toward the 2024 Legislative Session.  If you would like to view the "Cultivate Washington" agenda, you can visit their website here at: https://src.wastateleg.org/cultivate-washington/

The Department of Ecology's recent decision to pursue linking carbon markets with California and Quebec could mean reopening the Climate Commitment Act statute. This could be a means by which to address the carbon price that agriculture continues to be confronted with. For more information about the Department of Ecology's decision to pursue linking with other carbon markets CLICK HERE.

Washington State Farm Bureau expresses concern over California's Advanced Clean Fleets rule and subsequent litigation. As Washington is linked to "the motor vehicle emission standards of the state of California," WFB is watching this closely.

The National Park Service and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are actively soliciting input from the public as they assess potential strategies for reintroducing grizzly bears to the North Cascades Ecosystem region. You have the chance to share your opinion and perspective on this issue!

Washington Farm Bureau and the Washington Trucking Associations file an Administrative Procedure Act challenge against the Department of Ecology.

On Thursday, August 31, the Biden administration issued a 60-day extension to the litigations pertaining to the proposed removal of key dams within the Pacific Northwest. Four of the dams in question are along the Lower Snake River area and would have far-reaching impacts not only to residents within the state but far beyond.

The Washington Department of Ecology issued a decision denying Washington Farm Bureau and the Washington Trucking Associations' formal Petition for Rulemaking that would ensure that motor vehicle fuel used exclusively for agricultural purposes and fuels used for transporting agricultural products on public highways are exempt from coverage under the Climate Commitment Act, as is required by law. Read the article on the WFB website.  Click here to read the initial Petition for Rulemaking. Click here to read the Department of Ecology's denial letter.

Each year, members of Washington Farm Bureau select a State Senator and a State Representative to receive their Legislator of the Year award. This year, WFB is proud to recognize Senator Mark Mullet and Representative Mike Chapman as the recipients of their 2023 Legislator of the Year award.  If you would like to contact Senator Mullet's office and thank him for his work, you can contact him at (360) 786-7608. If you would like to reach out to Representative Chapman's office and thank him for his work, you can contact him at (360) 786-7916. We are grateful for the work and commitment of these two Legislators to support a stronger future for agriculture in Washington State. 

This report is in response to some recent false narratives placing the blame that farmers continue to face the carbon price at the feet of fuel distributors. The Department of Ecology has the mandate to provide for this carbon price exemption and they continue to fail in this mandate.  WFB has issued a petition for rulemaking with Ecology and the department has until August 15th to respond. We continue to wait on their response. In this episode, we look at the current landscape of who is responsible for this issue and what moving forward looks like.  Are you a WFB member and not getting our emails? That probably means that we do not have your email address. If that's the case, let us know! Give us a call at (360) 357-9975 or email us at gr@wsfb.com. We want to make sure we have your email address and are sending you relevant information to keep you up to date on important Washington State agricultural news.  While we continue pursuing all avenues for solutions, we need your help in supporting the WFB Legal Foundation. To give, you can do so at: https://www.cognitoforms.com/WashingtonStateFarmBureau/WFBLegalFoundationDonationForm.

Did you know that Washington State is now legally linked to the motor vehicle emissions standards of California? Thanks to legislation passed in 2020, Washington is now bound by law to follow California's lead and will also be implementing California's zero-emission vehicle program.  Let's talk about this and a few other "Did you know...?" questions. What do you think about this issue?

In mid-May of this year, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Division of Occupational Safety and Health filed a proposed rulemaking. The intent of the proposal is to regulate the activities of those working when wildfire smoke may be present. The proposal identifies the existence of a wildfire smoke hazard once the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached the level of 69 or greater. The proposed rule dictates what precautionary actions are needed as the AQI reaches heightened levels. Public hearings are scheduled throughout the state during the month of July. Click here to be taken to L&I's website for a full list of the public hearings (including dates and locations). In addition to the public hearings, interested parties are encouraged to submit written comments to L&I directly. Written submissions should be sent to: Cindy Ireland, Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Address: PO Box 44620 Olympia WA 98504-4620 Email: cynthia.ireland@Lni.wa.gov Fax: 360-902-5619 Phone: 360-902-5522 All written comments are due by 5 PM on August 4.  

Four rural Washington regions receive funding through the USDA ReConnect Program for high-speed internet.

Washington Farm Bureau and the Washington Trucking Associations issue the Department of Ecology with a formal Petition for Review.

The new numbers are in and the results are much higher than estimated.

While we appreciate the work of King 5 to spread awareness regarding this issue of the Department of Ecology not honoring agriculture's exemption from the carbon price, there are a few things that need to be mentioned.

With the passage of the Capital Budget comes funding for a fully voluntary riparian buffer program. 

One of the more dramatic issues faced during the 2023 Legislative Session was around riparian buffers. 

We take time to explain the exemption that agriculture has been, by law, given when it comes to the carbon price imposed on fuel purchases.

Walking our listeners through the final days of the Washington State 2023 Legislative Session. There were many positive steps made this session in spite of the opposition.