Talk to Legislators
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. With all of the challenges facing the agricultural industry, it’s never been more important that our legislators understand what is actually happening out there.
And in an election years, Washington State Tree Fruit Association Lobbyist, David DuCharme says it’s important the candidates know as well …
DuCHARME … “This legislature turns over about 25-30% every two years. There’s going to be a lot of retirements after this year. So, in the interim, before the elections, we’ll have an opportunity to get out and meet new candidates, talk about our issues and see if we can gain just a little bit more respect, support, and understanding for the industry.”
I ask DuCharme if he thinks these conversations are having an impact …
DuCHARME … “Well, it just depends on which legislator you talking to, right. I mean, look, in Eastern Washington, contacting your legislator, you know, I mean, they’re your neighbor, they’re you’re farmer. They understand these issues. Unfortunately, they represent, geographically, more land than anybody does in Western Washington, but unfortunately, they’re in the minority.”
How about those folks West of the Cascades, what do we say to them? …
DuCHARME … “For people on the West side of the state, you know, try to remember where your food comes from. You certainly know what your grocery prices are and, you know, you should be calling your legislator and you should be telling them that times are tough and budgets are tight, food is more expensive, and they need to do some things to address those.”
But, DuCharme says please don’t blame all of this on the President.
