Seattle Times Op-ed: Farm Bill is a Sweet Deal for WA

Ryan Munn, a third-generation sugarbeet farmer from Washington State, recently advocated for the passage of a strong Farm Bill in The Seattle Times. Growing sugarbeets has been a vital part of his family's crop rotation for more than 30 years.

"The Farm Bill is essential to our livelihood, as it provides a stable safety net, allowing us to grow the agricultural commodities that form the foundation of our food supply. Today, R. Munn Farms grows sugar beets, along with onions, shallots, carrots, turf grass seed, wheat, peas and beans. All these crops are touched by various provisions in the Farm Bill."

Hardworking sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers like Ryan depend on a robust safety net and strong sugar policy in the Farm Bill. They're asking that Congress work together to pass a bipartisan and highly effective five-year Farm Bill as soon as possible.

"Rising production costs and weather challenges have made it harder for family farmers to survive, and without a strong Farm Bill, our farm and our ability to contribute to our communities would be in peril. We want Congress to pass a bill that better reflects these current economic realities."

Sugar production creates revenue and jobs that sustain local communities across the country. In Washington State, sugarbeet production supports more than 240 jobs, contributes $28 million annually to the state's economy, and generates over 88,000 tons of sugar. But this all depends on passing a strengthened sugar policy provision in the Farm Bill to help ensure our family farmers, like Ryan, can continue to provide an affordable and reliable supply of made-in-America sugar.

"The time is now. Hardworking farm families like mine need your support. We know that Americans prefer American-made sugar, and we want to be here to supply it. Congress must pass a strong Farm Bill to protect farmers and ranchers across the country and ensure we can continue growing sugar crops and produce this essential ingredient."

Read Ryan's full op-ed in The Seattle Times to better understand the importance of the Farm Bill to sugar producers in Washington and around the country.