All Farm Bureau members and those interested in learning more about Farm Bureau’s advocacy efforts are invited to attend WFB’s Legislative Days event Feb. 7-8, 2012 in Olympia. The Red Lion Hotel, located at 2300 Evergreen Park Drive in Olympia, will serve as the primary venue.

If you are interested in attending, follow the directions to complete and submit the registration form at the bottom of this page.

Each year more than 200 Farm Bureau leaders from across the state join legislators, spouses, and staff at this event.

Event Highlights
The highlight each year is, of course, the banquet -- a time for Farm Bureau members to mix with legislators from across the state. Previous attendees agree that this opportunity plus a day on the Hill visiting legislative offices and attending hearings is well worth the time and expense of visiting the capital for two days. Learn More »

Registration Open for 8th Annual Agriculture Safety Day TUMWATER – Registration is now open for the 8th Annual Agriculture Safety Day, which will be held on Feb.22, 2012, atLearn More »

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
RISK MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Contact: Jo Lynne Seufer, (509) 228-6320
jo.lynne.seufer@rma.usda.gov
 
USDA RMA Funds Rural Tax Education Program
 
SPOKANE, Wash., November 28, 2011 – USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announces the availability of a newly created website titled: Rural Tax Education (ruraltax.org) providing farmers and ranchers a resource for agricultural related income and self-employment tax information that is both up-to-date and easy to understand.
 
“Farmers and ranchers wanting up-to-date tax information will want to put the Rural Tax Education website in their list of browser favorites,” said Dave Paul, Director of RMA’s Spokane Regional Office serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington states.  
  Learn More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2011  

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Gov. Gregoire calls November special session
Asks Legislature to pass budget in special session, support jobs in regular session

On Sept. 22, 2011, Gov. Chris Gregoire announced that she will call legislators in for a special session, beginning Nov. 28, 2011. Her decision comes one week after Dr. Arun Raha, the state’s economist, lowered the state’s revenue forecast for the 2011–13 biennium by $1.4 billion.

“Congressional gridlock, the European debt crisis and high unemployment continue to take their toll on consumer confidence and our state’s economy,” Gregoire said. “Once again, we are facing a budget shortfall and once again I’m calling the Legislature back into special session to address the state’s budget. My only option is across-the-board cuts, and that option is unacceptable. Solving this budget crisis will require the Legislature to act.” Learn More »

The Time to Sign up for WAFLA is Now
Take Advantage of Free Membership in the Washington Farm Labor Association

As a Washington Farm Bureau member, you are eligible for a free membership for the remainder of the year with the Washington Farm Labor Association. However, it is important to note that WFB members are not automatically enrolled in WAFLA. You need to create a login [insert link] to take advantage of the many services and resources available to you through WAFLA.

The good news is that joining is easy. Simply enter your contact information and create your login by clicking on any “Join” tab at http://wafla.org. Learn More »

From 11 a.m. to Noon on select dates in November, WAFLA will conduct two webinars FREE to Washington Farm Bureau members on the following topics:
• Conducting the Discrimination Investigation (Wed. Nov. 9)
As an employer the law prohibits unfair employment practices because of a person's: filing a complaint or advocating rights; presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability; use of a trained dog guide or service animal; HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C status; race; creed; color; national origin; sex; marital status; age (40+); sexual orientation, including gender identity. Civil Rights Specialist with the Washington State Human Rights Commission will get you up to speed on your responsibilities and also discuss what kind of investigations employers should conduct when allegations are made.
• Your Legal Responsibilities When Hiring Farm Labor Contractors (Wed. Nov. 16) Learn More »

For more information about the 93rd Annual AFBF Annual Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, visit this story or the AFBF page.

Brought to you by the Freedom Foundation’s Citizen Action Network 
Everywhere you go, you see the economy in action. It is the lifeblood of any nation, allowing people to prosper and improve their lives. Over the last few decades, our market system has become increasingly over-regulated and constrained, burdened by politicians and social engineers. If allowed to continue, our country will plunge further into debt, darkening our children’s future. What would happen if we were to unleash the free market once again in our country? What could we achieve both as individuals and as a society? How does the free market system work and how can it turn things around for America? Learn More »

According to the Washington State Department of Agriculture, exports of Washington-grown products have reached a new high. From October 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011, the value of Washington-origin farm and seafood products set a record pace.

Washington food exports were worth $1.91 billion in the last quarter of 2010, a figure matched in the first quarter of 2011. Each quarter represents a new record, beating the previous record of $1.89 billion set in the third quarter of 2008.

“I commend our Washington state growers, who have rightly earned the reputation of producing the finest quality products in the world,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire. “Their tireless work to market our products overseas will help spur economic development and job growth here at home.” Learn More »