Ag Problems Recognized in Olympia

Fruit Grower Report
Washington State Tree Fruit Association President, Jon

DeVaney says challenges for the ag industry may be getting a bit more attention in Olympia.

Farm Bill Likelihood

Fruit Grower Report
There are some doubts out there among lawmakers about the likelihood of getting a new Farm Bill done this year, but there’ also still some hope out there.

Need for Guestworkers

Fruit Grower Report
It’s no secret that finding adequate, affordable ag labor is a huge challenge for farmers, especially in recent years.

Farm Bill Politics

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall says lawmakers must stop with the farm bill delays and deliver some certainty to rural America.

California Cling Peach Harvest and Senate Farm Bill Fails to Pass

The Agribusiness Update
Harvest is expected to conclude soon for California cling peaches, which are used for canning, and the Senate Ag Committee failed to advance its Farm Bill Thursday after Democrats rejected the Republican proposal.

South Carolina State Fair Hiring and Senate Farm Bill Fails to Pass

The Agribusiness Update
The South Carolina State Fair is now hiring for this year’s fair, taking place Oct. 15-25, and the Senate Ag Committee failed to advance its Farm Bill Thursday after Democrats rejected the Republican proposal.

Higher Food Prices Continue and Regenerative Ag Climbs

The Agribusiness Update
Higher food prices continue to change the way Americans shop, according to a new report from CoBank's Knowledge Exchange, and regenerative agriculture continues to gain momentum across the country.

Understanding Ag

Fruit Grower Report
I asked Save Family Farming’s Dillon Honcoop if state lawmakers were aware of what their policy decisions were doing to the ag industry in this state?

Water Management in Drought

Fruit Grower Report
Another drought year has been declared in Washington state, meaning farmers need to be prepared for the potential of less water availability.

House Passes Farm Bill

Line on Agriculture
The U.S. House of Representatives passed its farm bill without including year-round E15 legislation, a setback for corn growers and ethanol producers. The E15 debate overshadowed the bill's passage, with a split among Republicans over small refinery exemptions nearly derailing the bill.

Glyphosate Debate

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Sparks flew at the House Rules Committee Monday over whether the pending farm bill includes a lawsuit shield for makers of the key farming herbicide glyphosate or Roundup.

California's Prop 12 Issues and SCOTUS Hears Roundup Case

The Agribusiness Update
A coalition of farm groups and lawmakers is urging Congress to address California’s Proposition 12, and Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in a case involving allegations that exposure to Roundup caused cancer.

Aid for Farmers

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer assured lawmakers the administration is both aware of and working to help struggling farmers.

WSTFA Lobbying Efforts

Fruit Grower Report
Much of what the Washington State Tree Fruit Association is focused on is engagement in state government affairs to help address the market uncertainty driven by government policy.

Renew Farm Bill Pressure and Fertilizer Prices Too High

The Agribusiness Update
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill returned from the Easter recess with growing optimism that a new five-year farm bill could soon advance, and overwhelming majority of U.S. farmers say rising fertilizer costs are limiting their ability to operate this season.

Understanding Ag in Olympia

Fruit Grower Report
Recent numbers show Washington is the least profitable state in the nation for farming, at a nearly negative $400 million dollars in 2024, the most recent data available. We asked Save Family Farming’s Dillon Honcoop if state lawmakers were aware of what their policy decisions were doing!

Too Many Problems in Ag

Fruit Grower Report
Save Family Farming’s Dillon Honcoop says the state of Washington has created an environment for farmers that is ALWAYS challenging.

Fiona Ma Named Champion of Ag and Bipartisan Support for Farmers

The Agribusiness Update
California Farm Bureau presented California State Treasurer Fiona Ma with the Champion of Agriculture Award, and lawmakers from both parties voiced support for American farmers during a Senate Ag Committee hearing.

Florida Farm Bill Signed and Bipartisan Support for Farmers

The Agribusiness Update
Florida Ag Commissioner Wilton Simpson joined Governor Ron DeSantis, and others as the 2026 Florida Farm Bill was signed into law, and lawmakers from both parties voiced support for American farmers during a Senate Ag Committee hearing.

Farm Troubles and Blame

Fruit Grower Report
As fuel prices soar, thanks to the war in Iran, and adds to the exorbitant costs farmers are already paying for labor, inputs and equipment, who is to blame for the mess we find ourselves in today?