H-2A Efficiency

Fruit Grower Report
U.S. Representative, Dan Newhouse says current legislation

being considered, the ‘Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act’ could do so much to help improve the H-2A system.

USDA Seeks $11.1B Aid; USTR Recommends Lamb-Import Safeguard Probe

Line on Agriculture
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rawlins has urged Congress to approve $11.1 billion in additional funding for farmers to provide temporary support while U.S. farm policy is reshaped. Meanwhile, the American Sheep Industry (ASI) welcomes a recommendation from the U.S. Trade Representative for a formal safeguard investigation into lamb imports, which could affect over 100,000 sheep farms and ranches

Farm Bill Likelihood in 2026

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
As we start to hear doubts from some in the Senate about the likelihood of getting a new Farm Bill done this year, there is still hope out there.

Ag Labor Reform Update

Fruit Grower Report
U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse says that the enough ag employers have been sounding the alarm, and more lawmakers may now have received the message.

Pushback Over Brazil Beef Tariff Exemption; EPA Faces Pesticide Label Petition

Line on Agriculture
The U.S. Trade Representative is investigating Brazilian policies that may restrict U.S. commerce, with a focus on Brazil's agricultural practices linked to deforestation. Additionally, the Center for Biological Diversity has petitioned the EPA to add cancer warning labels to pesticides with potential links to cancer.

Digital Acreage Reporting

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
USDA crop acreage reporting is finally entering the modern era, starting with a new pilot for spring-planted crops.

Farm Bill House Passage

Fruit Grower Report
Ag groups appear pleased with the news that the House of Representatives passed a new Farm Bill.

Lawmakers Move Farm Bill Forward in 224-200 Vote

Southeast Regional Ag News
The National Cotton Council highlights gains for producers while flagging input concerns.

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.

USDA, NAWG Target Sky‑High Fertilizer Costs Hitting Wheat Growers

Line on Agriculture
High fertilizer costs in the agriculture industry are an ongoing issue. With a particular focus on the impact of countervailing duties on phosphate imports from Russia and Morocco. The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) argues that these duties have increased fertilizer costs for wheat growers by nearly $1 billion over five years, equating to approximately $20 per acre, which significantly affects profitability

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.

Ag Overtime Problems

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
A Central Washington lawmaker says he continues to hear from growers across the state who are struggling under Washington's agricultural overtime law.

Keep Pushing Your Legislators

Fruit Grower Report
With farmers in Washington state experiencing negative returns the past few years, and labor alone accounting for 108% of their total gross revenue, many feel it’s crucial that lawmakers understand that.

H-2A Reform - Newhouse

Fruit Grower Report
As work continues in Congress to piece together Farm Bill 2.0, there is also talk that lawmakers will soon resume work on farm labor reform.

Newhouse to Chair Ag Subcommittee

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse will spend his final term in office as Chair of the House Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.

USMCA Talks with USTR

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
USTR Chief Ag Trade Negotiator Julie Callahan recently addressed rumors that the six-year review of USMCA this year could turn into separate bilateral talks with Canada and Mexico.

Buying American Cotton Act Gains Attention

Southeast Regional Ag News
The National Cotton Council says retailers and industry leaders are backing the proposed legislation.

Tariffs on Canada Vote

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
After the Supreme Court ruled the President lacks authority to impose sweeping tariffs under the IEEPA, we now wait to see what happens to those invalidated levies, including removing tariffs on Canada, a major trading partners that we share a border with.

Specialty Crop Assistance Update

Fruit Grower Report
Specialty crop growers are paying close attention as the USDA announced up to $1 billion, and possibly more, in bridge assistance payments available for Specialty Crop growers.

FFA and politicians

Idaho Ag Today
On January 26th the Idaho statehouse was flooded with a sea of blue FFA jackets as part of the Cenarrusa FFA Day on the Hill.