03/20/08 Celebrating farmers and ranchers

Washington Ag March 20, 2008 It is the first day of spring and that means it is also National Agriculture Day, a time to celebrate the nation's farmers and ranchers who provide us with food, fiber and energy. There are some 33-thousand farms and ranches in Washington and more than 300 crops are grown in the state. The value of production from Washington's agricultural producers was nearly 6.9 billion dollars in 2006, the most recent figures available from the Ag Statistics Service. That's just the value of crops and livestock as they leave the farm and ranch, before any processing occurs. The Washington State Department of Agriculture says that combined, food and agriculture are a 34-billion dollar industry in the state. To help sort out the challenges and opportunities for Washington's farming families for the future the Washington Department of Agriculture is conducting the Future of Farming Project funded by the legislature. WSDA Director Valoria Loveland says one way producers and others involved in agriculture can provide input is through an online survey. Loveland: "Our website is www.agr.wa.gov/fof." There will also be listening sessions later this spring and summer and a report to the legislature before the end of the year. I'm Bob Hoff.