Addressing Barriers for Central Washington Producers

In Central Washington, agriculture is not just an industry-it is the lifeblood of our communities and the foundation of our economy. As a third-generation farmer from the Yakima Valley, I understand better than most in Congress the challenges our farmers face, from unpredictable weather to undesirable market conditions. Over the past few weeks, I have met with orchardists, specialty crop growers, and other producers throughout our region to discuss these issues and talk about possible solutions.

In my visits with farmers, I heard firsthand how natural disasters in recent years have severely impacted their operations. Central Washington is one of the top agricultural regions in the country, but if we are to keep our edge in markets, we must establish a common-sense safety net for our growers in the face of uncontrollable events. That is why I have advocated for provisions in the Farm Bill to expand access to crop insurance and increase our agricultural exports.

Improving access to disaster and conservation programs for producers will help them mitigate losses due to environmental events, which is why I worked with Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson to include provisions in the Farm Bill to make the Tree Assistance Program more effective by lowering the number of plant deaths needed to qualify and expanding the type of crops that are eligible. These changes will not only broaden access to critical assistance, but also enable our producers to rebuild and prepare for the next growing season.

There are significant restrictions on disaster and conservation programs, which make it difficult for producers to receive assistance even if agriculture is their primary source of income. To address this, I have proposed a waiver that eliminates Adjusted Gross Income limitations for participants who receive 75% or more of their income from agriculture. If our producers cannot afford to cover their basic costs, they risk going out of business, and these provisions will provide some much-needed relief.

I have also heard from producers about the barriers they face in exporting crops to foreign markets. I introduced the Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2023, which doubles the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program-essential trade promotions designed with our growers in mind-and I am pleased to announce it has been included in the House Version of the Farm Bill. By boosting our exports, we can reduce the amount of crops going to waste and increase profit margins for our farmers.

To maintain our region's agricultural prowess and support the hardworking individuals who feed our nation, we must ensure our farmers have the resources and support they need. This is not just an investment in their future, but in the future of our entire economy. We must prioritize a comprehensive Farm Bill that works for producers and sets the industry up for success, and I am committed to continuing to advocate for Central Washington's producers throughout this process.