Governor leads ag delegation to D.C.
Washington Ag Today June 3, 2009 Governor Chris Gregoire and state Ag Director Dan Newhouse leave for Washington D.C. today with representatives of the state’s agriculture industry to work on issues important to Washington’s largest economic sector. Washington State Potato Commission Executive Director Chris Voigt, who is also making the trip, says having the governor lead such a delegation is almost unprecedented and provides a great opportunity. Voigt: “We are going to be meeting Secretary Salazar with the Department of Interior. We are going to be meeting with Transportation Secretary LaHood to try and solve the Mexico problem that we have. We are also meeting with Lisa Jackson administrator of the EPA to talk about chemical issues in farming. We will be meeting with the Chairman of the House Ag Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Ag Committee. Trying to set up a meeting with the U.S. Trade Representative‘s Office and then also meeting with our congressional delegation.” Washington Association of Wheat Growers president Brit Ausman won’t be going with the governor but he says it’s great Gregoire is making this trip. Ausman: “Ag is very important to our state and I think it is fantastic that she is going back there to talk on ag issues and promote out products.” Tom Mick, CEO of the Washington Grain Alliance is representing the state’s wheat and barley industries. Chris Schlect of the Northwest Horticultural Council is also participating in the mission that will return Friday. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network. ?
