Fall is always a beautiful, busy time of year. Here’s what I’ve been up to when I’m not at the farm, bringing in this year’s harvest:
- I met with the Washington State Institute for Pension Policy and the Select Committee on Pension Policy in Western Washington.
- While I was on the west side, I spent two afternoons with the Ways and Means staff to analyze how we will balance the budget in January.
- I spoke at a Rotary meeting in Othello.
- I attended a developmental disabilities Forum in Pasco.
- Last Saturday I attended Washington State University’s College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences (CAHNRS) reunion and cheered the Cougs on at the homecoming game against Colorado.
Ag Update
Agriculture is the bread and butter of Eastern Washington. This year we have much for which to be thankful. Here are a few success stories:
- Hay is Washington’s fourth highest-valued crop, right behind apples, wheat and potatoes. It produced $683.6 million last year, with projections even higher for this one.
- It has been a record year for our state’s namesake—apples—but a shortage of workers is jeopardizing that success.
- Canola, one of the crops I farm, is picking up steam in Washington, its momentum helped along by a new processing plant in Odessa. Canola farmland has increased by 6,500 acres and is now sixth in the nation for production.
- Washington is ranked number one for fresh processed peas.Washington’s dry and fresh peas were valued at $45 million last year!
- We’re also ranked number one in the nation for sweet corn—even though we’re far from the Midwest Corn Belt.
