Agriculture
Washington’s farmers and ranchers are critical to our state’s
economy, environment, and quality of life. Agriculture is the largest
industry in Washington state. We are the nation’s third-largest
producer of fruits and vegetables – also known as specialty crops – and we produce more than 250 specialty crops and grains consumed across our
nation and around the globe. Washington is also the nation’s fifth
largest producer of wheat.
I talk and visit regularly with agriculture communities
across Washington state, and I know that our farmers face constant
challenges – from difficult market conditions and changing weather
patterns, to natural disasters and high input costs. That’s why I have
consistently fought in Washington, D.C., for our agricultural producers,
farmworkers, and rural communities.
I am working to keep our rural communities strong and ensure a
bright future for our state’s farm families. These families need a
safety net that will help them get through hard times. Our state’s
high-quality farm products need open international and domestic markets.
We must fund agricultural research initiatives. And we have to
expand housing, education, and job training opportunities for
farmworkers.
My Priorities
- Providing federal funding for agricultural research to help
promote scientific advances, which farmers, ranchers, and growers rely
on to stay competitive.
- Ensuring the agriculture industry has access to the
workforce it needs to run successful businesses.
- Maintaining a safety net to help our farmers, growers, and
ranchers during difficult times, such as natural disasters.
- Increasing investments in specialty crop programs to ensure
this growing sector receives adequate support.
- Supporting efforts to help farmers, ranchers, and growers
efficiently transport their products from the farm to the market.
My Accomplishments
- Restored and increased federal funding for agricultural
research, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
- Supported important specialty crop, disaster assistance, and
nutrition provisions in the 2008 Farm Bill.
- Helped create the National Clean Plant Network, which provides a
source of clean, virus-free root stocks for our tree-fruit, wine-grape,
and nut-tree industries.
- Expanded nutrition programs that allow our local agriculture
industry to provide nutritious food to our state’s schools.
- Increased federal funding for dredging of the Columbia River to
deepen the channel, allowing barges with agricultural products to pass
with ease.