New Ag Washington Policy Center

New Ag Washington Policy Center

Susan Allen
Susan Allen
I'm Susan Allen, this is your Fruit Grower Report. The Washington Policy Center much like the Oregon Center for Public Policy has a host of Divisions, including small business, and environment and Washington just added an Agricultural Center in Tri-cities to help create awareness for issues facing the state's farmers, Madi Clark is the Agriculture Research Director

CLARK: So in Washington State l lot of the times the Westside rules that argument that their industry is more important, the Microsofts, those Boeings, the big corporate but we are trying to tell the story that agriculture is just as important that we employee just as many people as Microsoft and Boeing combined which is over 160,000 people, along with that we are 13 percent of the state's GDP. So that's huge for our economy. We are trying to start that conversation that when policy decision are made that agriculture concerns want, and desires need to be considered equally with the other key industries for the state.

Our ag worker crisis plus and how the minimum wage initiative plays into it is one of Madi's current focus's

CLARK: We have a very special industry that has a few extra considerations when it comes to proposals like the minimum wage proposal or other labor issues

To learn more about this pro-ag organization and read Madi's blogs visit washingtonpolicy.org.

Previous ReportEnhancing Western Orchard Biological Control
Next ReportWinerys Invariably Begin As Dreams