News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2011  

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Mollie Hammar, PR Director, (360) 480-8058
John Stuhlmiller, GR Director, (360) 870-6017 

Washington Farm Bureau Elects Officers to Serve in 2011-12  

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Voting delegates at the Washington Farm Bureau 92nd Annual Meeting today elected Mike LaPlant, a hay farmer from Grant County, to the position of President of the state's largest general farm organization. Prior to being elected President, LaPlant served as the organization's Second Vice President for Policy Development for three years.
 
I'm honored that the grassroots leaders of this organization have elected me to serve as their President," said WFB President Mike LaPlant. "I look forward to continuing to build on the organization's legacy of success."
 
Aaron Golladay, a diversified farmer from Grant County, was elected to his second term as First Vice President for Legislation.
 
Newly elected to the position of Second Vice President for Policy Development, is Steve Cooper, a diversified farmer from Franklin County. Most recently Cooper served as a member of the Washington Farm Bureau board, and as a member of the executive board, representing District 5, which includes Benton, Franklin, Whitman, Spokane, Columbia, Garfield, Asotin, and Walla Walla counties.
 
More than 300 members and a total of 204 voting delegates, representing all 25 county Farm Bureaus, attended the 92nd Annual Meeting of the Washington Farm Bureau, held at the Convention Center in Yakima.
 
Steve Appel, a third-generation farmer from Whitman County, had served as WFB President for 17 consecutive years. Appel announced his retirement in 2011. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
Oct. 11, 2011    MEDIA CONTACTS
Mollie Hammar, Public Relations Director, (800) 331.3276 ext. 127
John Stuhlmiller, Government Relations Director, (800) 331.3276 ext. 103  

Washington Farm Bureau Recognizes Legislative Leaders of the 2011 Session

OLYMPIA – At its recent board of directors meeting, Washington Farm Bureau named four legislators as outstanding protectors of agriculture in Washington. Letters of commendation for their service in 2011 were awarded to Senator Jim Honeyford, R–Sunnyside; Senator Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond; Representative Bruce Chandler, R-Granger; and Representative Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen.

In addition to receiving the letters of commendation, Sen. Hatfield and Rep. Blake were each also named “Legislator of the Year.”

Washington Farm Bureau is the state’s largest general agricultural association, representing the economic and social interests of more than 41,000 member families. Since 1995, WFB’s board of directors awards one or more state legislators with the honor of being the organization’s Legislator of the Year. A legislator’s vote record and outstanding actions to help strengthen family farms are key criteria for receiving this award.

Sen. Hatfield served as an ardent and early supporter of Unemployment Insurance (UI) reform legislation and real Workers’ Compensation reform (SB 5566), issues extremely important to the success of farmers and ranchers in our state. As leader of the “Roadkill Caucus,” Sen. Hatfield was responsible for creating an environment that allowed for the creation of a reasonable, bipartisan budget.

In addition to also supporting UI & Workers’ Comp. reform measures, Rep. Blake exercised sound judgment when discussing complex ag issues both in his committee and his caucus. As Chair of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Blake championed funding of the Department of Agriculture and the Conservation Commissions—services critical to the continued success of our state’s agricultural businesses.

Both legislators of the year demonstrated their understanding of the importance of agriculture to our state’s economy by supporting agriculture’s requests related to complex water use issues; limiting punitive fertilizer and fuel fees related to agricultural operations; and, protecting English Holly growers. Both Hatfield and Blake also played vital roles in creating the new Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) as an alternative to new regulations of agriculture under the state Growth Management Act. The VSP will allow locally-driven plans to drive stewardship decisions while protecting existing agricultural activities from harmful restrictions.

The 19th District lawmakers will be recognized for their efforts on behalf of Washington state farmers and ranchers at the Washington Farm Bureau’s 92nd Annual Meeting in November.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2011

MEDIA CONTACTS
Mollie Hammar, PR Director, (360) 528.2915
Dan Wood, Local Affairs Director, (360) 528-2909

Event Contact: Vicki Malloy, Washington Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Committee Chair, (509) 663-9995 or (509) 860-1683
Local Area Contact: Andrea Pinkerton, Lewis County Farm Bureau Vice President, (360) 880-2058

Washington Farm Bureau Serves up Nutrition at Food Checkout Event
Chehalis, Wash. -- As the nation continues to work through serious economic woes, many Americans remain concerned that the cost of a healthy diet might be out of reach. However, according to an Agriculture Department study, the cost of eating healthy hasn't changed as much as some less-healthy alternatives. Eating healthy food while on a budget does require strategic shopping. That's where Washington's Farmers and Ranchers come in.

Members of the Washington Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Committee, 4-H, FFA and Farm Bureau's Young Farmers & Ranchers program will converge at Grocery Outlet (1369 NW Louisiana Ave. Chehalis, WA 98532) Sat. Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. to celebrate Food Checkout Week, providing education about nutrition while conducting a food drive.

Food Check-Out Week, Feb. 20-26, 2011, focuses on helping Americans learn how to stretch their grocery dollars with healthy, nutritious food. America's farmers and ranchers are committed to producing safe, healthy and abundant food. And they share a common concern with consumers when it comes to putting nutritious meals on the table while sticking to a tight budget.

"Learning to use your grocery dollars wisely helps ensure that nutrition isn't neglected," according to Vicki Malloy, Washington Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Committee Chair.

The good news is that a recent USDA report favorably supports the economics of healthier eating. Recent food price data show that prices for unprepared, readily available fresh fruits and vegetables have remained stable relative to dessert and snack foods, such as chips, ice cream and cola. Therefore, as defined by foods in the study, the price of a "healthier" diet has not changed compared to an "unhealthy" diet.

"Fruits and vegetables--along with whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, beans, eggs and nuts--are an important part of a healthy diet. Buying fresh produce when it's in season and costs less, while buying frozen fruits and vegetables when they're not in season, is a smart way to stretch that dollar," said Malloy.

At Farm Bureau's Food Checkout event, Washington family farmers and ranchers will provide consumers with tips on how to:
• put nutritious meals on the table with fewer dollars
• use the new food pyramid to plan meals
• shop strategically and save money

Farm Bureau has developed educational materials dedicated to helping consumers make healthier food purchases. These materials will be distributed at Saturday's Food Check-Out Week event.

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2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2010

MEDIA CONTACTS
Mollie Hammar, PR Director, (360) 480-8058
John Stuhlmiller, GR Director, (360) 870-6017

Washington Farm Bureau Elects Officers to Serve in 2011 

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Voting delegates at the Washington Farm Bureau 91st Annual Meeting today unanimously re-elected Steve Appel, a wheat and barley grower from Whitman County, to lead them into 2011.

Appel has served as WFB President since November 1994. A third-generation farmer, Appel is a graduate of Washington State University.

In a closely contested race, Aaron Golladay, a diversified farmer from Grant County, was elected to his first term as First Vice President for legislation. Most recently Golladay served as a member of the Washington Farm Bureau state board, representing Grant County, and on the WFB PAC Committee.

Delegates unanimously re-elected Mike LaPlant, a hay farmer from Grant County, to his second term as the Second Vice President for Policy Development.

More than 330 members and a total of 246 voting delegates, representing all 25 county Farm Bureaus, attended the 91st Annual Meeting of the Washington Farm Bureau, held at the Convention Center in Yakima. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2010

MEDIA CONTACTS
Mollie Hammar, PR Director, (360) 528.2915
Dan Wood, Local Affairs Director, (360) 528-2909

LACEY, WA - The political action committee of the Washington Farm Bureau, the state's largest general farm organization, has announced candidate endorsements for the upcoming general election.

In accordance with the organization's bylaws, members of all 25 County Farm Bureaus form Candidate Evaluation Committees to consider local, legislative, congressional and statewide candidates for office. More than 300 farmers and ranchers across the state are involved in this grassroots process, culminating in endorsements from the Washington State Farm Bureau PAC.

The complete list of candidate endorsements made by the Farm Bureau PAC for the general election is as follows:

FEDERAL
U.S. Senate
Dino Rossi (R)
U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Congress Dist. 1 - James Watkins (R)
U.S. Congress Dist. 2 - John Koster (R)
U.S. Congress Dist. 3 - Jaime Herrera (R)
U.S. Congress Dist. 4 - Doc Hastings (R)
U.S. Congress Dist. 5 - Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R)
U.S. Congress Dist. 8 - Dave Reichert (R)
U.S. Congress Dist. 9 - Dick Muri (R)

JUDICIAL
Washington State Supreme Court
Position #1 - Jim Johnson (NP)
Position #6 - Richard Sanders (NP)

STATE LEGISLATURE
(In order by District, House and Position)
District 1 House Pos. 2 - Heidi Munson (R)
District 2 House Pos. 1 - Jim McCune (R)
District 2 House Pos. 2 - J.T. Wilcox (R)
District 4 House Pos. 1 - Larry Crouse (R)
District 4 House Pos. 2 - Matt Shea (R)
District 5 House Pos. 1 - Jay Rodne (R)
District 5 House Pos. 2 - Glenn Anderson (R)
District 6 SENATE - Michael Baumgartner (R)
District 6 House Pos. 1 - Kevin Parker (R)
District 6 House Pos. 2 - John Ahern (R)
District 7 SENATE - Bob Morton (R)
District 7 House Pos. 1 - Shelly Short (R)
District 7 House Pos. 2 - Joel Kretz (R)
District 8 SENATE - Jerome Delvin (R)
District 8 House Pos. 1 - Brad Klippert (R)
District 8 House Pos. 2 - Larry Haler (R)
District 9 House Pos. 1 - Susan Fagan (R)
District 9 House Pos. 2 - Joe Schmick (R)
District 10 House Pos. 1 - Norma Smith (R)
District 10 House Pos. 2 - Barbara Bailey (R)
District 11 House Pos. 2 - Bob Hasegawa (D)
District 12 House Pos. 1 - Cary Condotta (R)
District 13 SENATE - Janéa Holmquist (R)
District 13 House Pos. 1 - Judy Warnick (R)
District 13 House Pos. 2 - Bill Hinkle (R)
District 14 House Pos. 1 - Michele Strobel (R)
District 14 House Pos. 2 - Charles Ross (R)
District 15 SENATE - Jim Honeyford (R)
District 15 House Pos. 1 - Bruce Chandler (R)
District 15 House Pos. 2 - David Taylor (R)
District 16 House Pos. 2 - Terry Nealey (R)
District 17 House Pos. 1 - Brian Peck (R)
District 17 House Pos. 2 - Paul Harris (R)
District 18 House Pos. 1 - Ann Rivers (R)
District 18 House Pos. 2 - Ed Orcutt (R)
District 20 House Pos. 1 - Richard DeBolt (R)
District 20 House Pos. 2 - Gary Alexander (R)
District 21 House Pos. 1 - Ed Borey (R)
District 21 House Pos. 2 - Elizabeth Scott (R)
District 23 House Pos. 1 - Peter DeBoer (R)
District 23 House Pos. 2 - Christine Rolfes (D)
District 24 House Pos. 1 - Dan Gase (R)
District 24 House Pos. 2 - Jim McEntire (R)
District 25 House Pos. 1 - Bruce Dammeier (R)
District 25 House Pos. 2 - Dawn Morrell (D)
District 26 SENATE - Derek Kilmer (D)
District 26 House Pos. 1 - Jan Angel (R)
District 27 House Pos. 1 - Laurie Jinkins (D)
District 28 House Pos. 1 - Troy Kelley (D)
District 28 House Pos. 2 - Paul Wagemann (R)
District 30 SENATE - Tony Moore (R)
District 30 House Pos. 1 - Shawn Sullivan (R)
District 31 SENATE - Pam Roach (R)
District 31 House Pos. 1 - Cathy Dahlquist (R)
District 31 House Pos. 1 - Chris Hurst (D)
District 33 SENATE - Jack Michalek (R)
District 33 House Pos. 1 - Tina Orwall (D)
District 33 House Pos. 2 - Dave Upthegrove (D)
District 34 House Pos. 2 - Mike Heavey (D)
District 35 SENATE - Tim Sheldon (D)
District 36 House Pos. 1 - Reuven Carlyle (D)
District 36 House Pos. 2 - Mary Lou Dickerson (D)
District 37 House Pos. 1 - Sharon Tomiko Santos (D)
District 37 House Pos. 2 - Eric Pettigrew (D)
District 39 House Pos. 1 - Dan Kristiansen (R)
District 39 House Pos. 2 - Kirk Pearson (R)
District 40 House Pos. 1 - Mike Newman (R)
District 40 House Pos. 2 - John Swapp (R)
District 41 SENATE - Steve Litzow (R)
District 41 House Pos. 2 - Judy Clibborn (D)
District 42 SENATE - Doug Ericksen (R)
District 42 House Pos. 1 - Jason Overstreet (R)
District 42 House Pos. 2 - Vincent Buys (R)
District 43 SENATE - Ed Murray (D)
District 43 House Pos. 1 - Jamie Pedersen (D)
District 43 House Pos. 2 - Frank Chopp (D)
District 44 SENATE - Steve Hobbs (D)
District 44 House Pos. 2 - Mike Hope (R)
District 45 SENATE - Andy Hill (R)
District 45 House Pos. 1 - Kevin Haistings (R)
District 45 House Pos. 2 - Larry Springer (D)
District 47 SENATE - Joe Fain (R)
District 47 House Pos. 1 - Mark Hargrove (R)
District 47 House Pos. 2 - Rodrigo Yanez (R)
District 48 SENATE - Greg Bennett (R)
District 48 House Pos. 1 - Diane Tebelius (R)
District 48 House Pos. 2 - Deb Eddy (D)
District 49 House Pos. 1 - Bill Cismar (R)
District 49 House Pos. 2 - Craig Riley (R)

ENDORSEMENTS FOR LOCAL OFFICE
(alphabetical order by county and position)

Chelan County
Assessor - Vicki Griffin (R)
Commissioner - Keith Goehner (R)
Sheriff - Mike Harum (R)

Clallam County
• Commissioner - Robin Poole (R)

Clark County
Assessor - Peter Van Nortwick (R)
Commissioner (Dist. 3) - Steve Stuart (D)
Prosecuting Attorney - Brent Boger (R)

Douglas County
• Commissioner - Steve Jenkins (R) 

Franklin County
Auditor - Matt Beaton (R)

Grant County
Clerk - Kimberly Allen (R)
Commissioner (Dist. 3) - Cindy Carter (R)

Grays Harbor County
Assessor - Rick Hole (NP)
Auditor - Vern Spatz (D)
Commissioner (Dist. 3) - Al Carter (D)
Treasurer - Ron Strabbing (D)

Island County
Assessor - Mary (Wilson) Engle (R)
Auditor - Sheilah Crider (R)
Commissioner - Kelly Emerson (R)
Coroner - Robert Bishop (R)
Prosecutor - Greg Banks (D)
Sheriff - Mark Brown (R)

Jefferson County
Commissioner - Jim Boyer (R)

Kitsap County
Commissioner (Dist. 3) - Abbey Burlingame (R)
Treasurer - Meredith Green (D)

Kittitas County
Commissioner - Obie O'Brien (R)
Prosecuting Attorney - Richard Young (I)

Lewis County
Clerk - Kathy Brack (R)
Commissioner - Lee Grose (R)
Coroner - Michael Hurley (R)
Sheriff - Steve Mansfield (R)

Lincoln County
Commissioner - Garry Rosman (R)
Sheriff - Wade Magers (R)

Okanogan County
Clerk - Charleen Groomes (R)
Commissioner - Jim Detro (R)
Sheriff - Frank Rogers (R)
Treasurer - Lea McCormack (D)    

Pacific County
Assessor - Bruce Walker (D)
Clerk - Virginia Leach (D)

Pierce County
Council - Dan Roach (R)

Skagit County
Assessor - Don Munks (R)
PUD Commissioner - Jim Cook (NP)
Sheriff - Herb Oberg (R)

Stevens County
Assessor - Al Taylor (R)
Commissioner (Dist. 2) - Don Dashiell (R)
Prosecutor - Tim Rasmussen (R)

Thurston County
Assessor - Glen Morgan (R)
Commissioner (Dist. 3) Pat Beehler (R)
Sheriff - John Snaza (I)
Treasurer - Tom Nelson (R)

Whatcom County
Council (Dist. 1) - Tony Larson (NP)
Prosecutor - Dave McEachran (R)

Yakima County
Assessor - Dave Cook (R)
Auditor - Mark Peterson (R)
Clerk - Kim Eaton (R)
Coroner - Jack Hawkins (R)
Prosecuting Attorney - James Hagarty (R)
Sheriff - Ken Irwin (R)
Treasurer - Ilene Thomson (R)

Whether an incumbent or challenger, each candidate undergoes a review process by their local Farm Bureau candidate evaluation committee before moving onto the state PAC for endorsement. To learn more about the endorsement process, or to see a list of Initiatives endorsed by the Washington Farm Bureau, visit: http://www.wsfb.com/issues/pac.

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Washington Farm Bureau is a 38,000-member advocacy organization representing family farmers and ranchers across the state. For more information about the Washington Farm Bureau visit www.wsfb.com or call 1.800.331.3276.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2010

LACEY, WA—The board of directors of the Washington Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general agricultural organization, has endorsed Initiative 1107, which would roll back certain tax increases imposed by the 2010 Legislature. Those taxes placed some locally grown and processed agricultural products at a competitive disadvantage.

“Taxing another part of the process that takes agricultural products from the soil to the kitchen table will not help revitalize our economy,” said Washington Farm Bureau President Steve Appel.

“Agriculture and its related industries form the backbone of the state’s economy. Imposing taxes on certain products will not help our economic recovery occur faster. In fact, it may delay our recovery.”

The state’s $38 billion food and agriculture industry employs 160,000 people and contributes 12 percent to the state’s economy.

The 2010 Legislature imposed a higher business and occupation (B&O) tax on processors of some agricultural products containing fruits, meats, and vegetables, including canned chili and soup. Initiative 1107 would reduce that B&O tax burden to the previous level.

Initiative 1107 would also repeal new tax increases imposed on carbonated beverages, bottled water and foods defined as “candy” — including thousands of products made and distributed by local Washington businesses, and many products made with food ingredients grown and produced in Washington state.

“The Legislature tried to say that some agricultural products are less important than others, but, in reality, every locally grown commodity is important to family farmers and ranchers across the state. That’s why Washington Farm Bureau opposed this tax increase in HB 6143, and that’s why we now support Initiative 1107,” concluded Appel.

For more information about the Initiative, and a list of other organizations supporting I-1107, visit http://www.stopgrocerytaxes.com/. To see other initiatives and candidates endorsed by the Washington Farm Bureau, visit: http://www.wsfb.com/issues/pac.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2010

MEDIA CONTACTS
Mollie Hammar, PR Director, (360) 528.2915
Dan Wood, Local Affairs Director, (360) 528-2909

LACEY, WA – The political action committee of the Washington Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general farm organization, has announced candidate endorsements for the upcoming primary election.

Candidates are recommended for endorsement based on their voting records (if already in office) and understanding and support of Farm Bureau policy. To see the complete legislative vote record for 2010 and past years, visit www.wsfb.com/issues/voterecord.

Whether an incumbent or challenger, each candidate undergoes a review process by their local Farm Bureau candidate evaluation committees before moving onto the state PAC for endorsement.

Additional candidates for federal offices are expected to be reviewed and endorsed prior to the general election. The list below contains endorsements made by the Farm Bureau PAC for the primary election.

FEDERAL
U.S. House of Representatives
John Koster (R), 2nd Congressional Dist.
Jaime Herrera (R), 3rd Congressional Dist.
Rep. Doc Hastings (R), 4th Congressional Dist.
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R), 5th Congressional Dist.

No candidate for U.S. Senate received sufficient recommendations to allow for an endorsement.

JUDICIAL
Justice Jim Johnson (NP), Washington State Supreme Court, Position #1
Justice Richard Sanders (NP), Washington State Supreme Court, Position #6
Harvey Dunham (NP), Division 3 Court of Appeals

STATE SENATE
Michael Baumgartner (R), 6th Dist.
Sen. Bob Morton (R), 7th Dist.
Sen. Jerome Delvin (R), 8th Dist.
Sen. Janéa Holmquist (R), 13th Dist.
Sen. Jim Honeyford (R), 15th Dist.
Sen. Derek Kilmer (D), 26th Dist.
Sen. Pam Roach (R), 31st Dist.
Sen. Tim Sheldon (D), 35th Dist.
Rep. Doug Ericksen (R), 42nd Dist.
Sen. Steve Hobbs (D), 44th Dist.

STATE HOUSE
Rep. Jim McCune (R), 2nd Dist., Pos. 1
Rep. Larry Crouse (R), 4th Dist., Pos. 1
Rep. Matt Shea (R), 4th Dist., Pos. 2
Rep. Jay Rodne (R), 5th Dist., Pos. 1
Rep. Glenn Anderson (R), 5th Dist., Pos. 2
Rep. Kevin Parker (R), 6th Dist., Pos. 1
John Ahern (R), 6th Dist., Pos. 2
Rep. Shelly Short (R), 7th Dist., Pos. 1
Rep. Joel Kretz (R), 7th Dist., Pos. 2
Rep. Brad Klippert (R), 8th Dist., Pos. 1
Rep. Larry Haler (R), 8th Dist., Pos. 2
Rep. Susan Fagan (R), 9th Dist., Pos.1
Rep. Joe Schmick (R), 9th Dist., Pos. 2
Rep. Norma Smith (R), 10th Dist., Pos. 1
Rep. Barbara Bailey (R), 10th Dist., Pos. 2
Rep. Cary Condotta (R), 12th Dist., Pos. 1
Rep. Judy Warnick (R), 13th Dist., Pos. 1
Rep. Charles Ross (R), 14th Dist., Pos. 2
Rep. Bruce Chandler (R), 15th Dist., Pos. 1
Rep. David Taylor (R), 15th Dist., Pos. 2
Rep. Ed Orcutt (R), 18th Dist., Pos 2
Rep. Richard DeBolt (R), 20th Dist., Pos. 1
Rep. Gary Alexander (R), 20th Dist., Pos. 2
Ed Borey (R), 21st Dist., Pos. 1
Elizabeth Scott (R), 21st Dist., Pos. 2
Peter DeBoer (R), 23rd Dist., Pos. 1
Rep. Christine Rolfes (D), 23rd Dist., Pos. 2
Rep. Bruce Dammeier (R), 25th Dist., Pos. 1
Rep. Jan Angel (R), 26th Dist., Pos. 1
Rep. Dan Kristiansen (R), 39th Dist., Pos. 1
Rep. Kirk Pearson (R), 39th Dist., Pos. 2
Dusty Gulleson (R), 40th Dist., Pos. 1
John Swapp (R), 40th Dist., Pos. 2
Jason Overstreet (R), 42nd Dist., Pos. 1
Vincent Buys (R), 42nd Dist., Pos. 2
Rep. Frank Chopp (D), 43rd Dist., Pos. 1
Shahram Hadian (R), 44th Dist., Pos. 1
Rep. Mike Hope (R), 44th Dist., Pos. 2
Diane Tebelius (R), 48th Dist., Pos. 1
Craig Riley (R), 49th Dist., Pos. 1

LOCAL RACES
Peter Van Nortwick (R), Clark County Assessor
Commissioner Steve Stuart (D), Clark County Commissioner, Dist. 3
Commissioner Joe Bond (R), Ferry County Commissioner, Dist. 2
Clerk Kimberly Allen (R), Grant County Clerk
Commissioner Cindy Carter (R), Grant County Commissioner, Dist. 3
Rich Callahan (NP), Grant County P.U.D. Commissioner, Dist. 2
Commissioner Al Carter (D), Grays Harbor County Commissioner, Dist. 3
Terry Bow (D), Grays Harbor County Assessor*
Rick Hole (NP), Grays Harbor County Assessor*
Auditor Vern Spatz (D), Grays Harbor Auditor
Treasurer Ron Strabbing (D), Grays Harbor Treasurer
Treasurer Meredith Green (D), Kitsap County Treasurer
Abbey Burlingame (R), Kitsap County Commissioner, Dist. 3
Terra Dittmer (R), Mason County Commissioner, Dist. 3
Charleen Groomes (R), Okanogan County Clerk
Clerk Virginia Leach (D), Pacific County Clerk**
Assessor Bruce Walker (D), Pacific County Assessor**
Assessor Al Taylor (R), Stevens County Assessor
Don Dashiell (R), Stevens County Commissioner, Dist. 2
Pat Beehler (R), Thurston County Commissioner, Dist. 3
John Snaza (I), Thurston County Sheriff
Tom Nelson (R),Thurston County Treasurer
Glen Morgan (R), Thurston County Assessor
Prosecutor Dave McEachran (R), Whatcom County Prosecutor
Tony Larson (NP), Whatcom County Council, Dist. 1
Assessor Dave Cook (R), Yakima County Assessor
Mark Peterson (R), Yakima County Auditor
Clerk Kim Eaton (R), Yakima County Clerk
Coroner Jack Hawkins (R), Yakima County Coroner
Prosecuting Attorney James Hagarty (R), Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney
Sheriff Ken Irwin (R), Yakima County Sheriff
Treasurer Ilene Thomson (R), Yakima County Treasurer

Key:
*Dual endorsement
**Grays Harbor-Pacific County Farm Bureau

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2010

MEDIA CONTACTS
Mollie Hammar, Public Relations Director, (800) 331.3276 ext. 127
John Stuhlmiller, Government Relations Director, (800) 331.3276 ext. 103

OLYMPIA – Senator Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville and Representative Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, were each named “Legislator of the Year” by the Washington Farm Bureau at its board of directors meeting last week.

Washington Farm Bureau is the state’s largest general agriculture trade association, representing the economic and social interests of more than 38,000 member families. Since 1995, WFB’s board of directors awards one or more state legislators with the honor of being the organization’s Legislator of the Year. A legislator’s vote record and outstanding actions to help strengthen family farms are key criteria for receiving this award.

In his role as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Sen. Schoesler provided very clear and concise communication regarding the importance of agricultural trade to our state’s economy. His leadership and commitment to the farmers and ranchers of this state was evident in his 100 percent voting record. Schoesler was also named Legislator of the Year by Washington Farm Bureau in 2004.

Despite extreme pressure from special interest groups, Rep. Hinkle voted to protect farmland in a critical vote relating to the Shorelines Management Act and Growth Management Act, EHB 1653. Rep. Hinkle also worked tirelessly to protect agriculture in the Open Space Tax Program, sponsored legislation critical to ag, and ultimately earned a 100 percent voting record.

These 9th and 13th District lawmakers will be recognized for their efforts on behalf of Washington state farmers and ranchers at the Washington Farm Bureau’s 91st Annual Meeting in November.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2010

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mollie Hammar, Public Relations Director, 1.800.331.3276

Washington Farm Bureau Announces Support for Workers' Comp Initiative

LACEY, WA—The board of directors of the Washington Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general agricultural organization, has endorsed Initiative 1082, which would allow private insurers to sell industrial insurance in Washington state.

The goal of Initiative 1082 is to lower industrial insurance (workers’ compensation) costs for employers, while also maintaining safe workplaces. I-1082 would dissolve the state-run monopoly on workers’ comp by allowing private insurers the ability to sell industrial insurance in the state. Even though fewer claims have been filed (a 55 percent decrease in claims frequency since 1990), administrative costs at L&I have gone up 82 percent in the past 10 years. I-1082 does not seek to address or limit the benefits injured workers should receive.

“Initiative 1082 would give us a tool to fix Washington’s broken workers’ comp system simply by providing choices,” said Washington Farm Bureau President Steve Appel. “Forcing the state to compete in a free marketplace, rather than allowing it to continue to run an inefficient monopoly, would allow Washington to become more competitive with other states vying for businesses and jobs.”

Initiative 1082 would set up a system in which employers could choose where to purchase industrial insurance: the state fund, a private insurance company, or self-insurance. Washington is currently one of only four states that forbid private insurance in favor of a government monopoly. As such, the Department of Labor & Industries, which administers the state fund insurance program, has no incentive to run its program in a manner consistent with best practices in the private sector.

Washington Farm Bureau has lobbied the legislature for bipartisan changes in this long-broken system for the past several years, including during the 2010 legislative session. Because legislators have been unwilling to make the necessary reforms, the board of directors of the Washington Farm Bureau believes that this request for change must be brought to the people in the form of Initiative 1082.

“The agricultural sector is poised to lead our state out of this recession,” continued Appel. “I-1082 would give the farmers and ranchers of Washington, and other businesses, the tools needed to help make our state’s economic recovery happen faster for all of us who live here.”

The state’s $38 billion food and agriculture industry employs 160,000 people and contributes 12 percent to the state’s economy.

Washington Farm Bureau is a 38,000-member advocacy organization representing family farmers and ranchers across the state. For more information about the Washington Farm Bureau’s history of advocating for workers’ comp reform, visit www.wsfb.com or call 1.800.331.3276.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2010

MEDIA CONTACTS
Mollie Hammar, PR Director, (360) 528.2915

WFB Announces Legal Challenge to Ill-Conceived Guestworker Regulation

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The American Farm Bureau Federation filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent new H-2A rules from going into effect. The federal H-2A program allows agricultural employers to obtain visas for seasonal workers if there are insufficient domestic workers. Because the United States faces an ongoing shortage of readily available domestic labor, the H-2A program is considered a necessary tool for farmers to continue to grow and harvest food on U.S. soil.

A federal judge ruled in March 2009 that the Obama administration could not merely invalidate H-2A rules that were adopted under former President Bush. As a result, the Secretary of Labor rushed new H-2A regulations into place. Farm Bureau believes that the Administrative Procedures Act, Congressional Review Act and Regulatory Flexibility Act were violated in an effort to expedite the normal process for rule making.

In Washington state, approximately 60,000 seasonal workers are needed to harvest apples, cherries, berries, peaches, and many other crops. The season typically lasts six months and the hours of employment vary greatly from week to week. So does the location. As such, the typical income and work schedule of a farm worker is unpredictable.

Farm owners want a legal and stable workforce. They want the same skilled workers year after year working on their farms. Pursuing workers through the H-2A program is and ought to be a viable solution available for labor-intensive agriculture. Contrary to public perception, employers using the H-2A program are required to and do provide high wages, housing, and travel benefits for their workers.

The workers who enter our country via the H-2A program do so legally, and their presence here greatly benefits all of agriculture and our overall economy. A typical seasonal worker who participates in the apple harvest picks approximately 150 tons of apples during the two-month season, and helps spawn jobs in processing, transportation, and international trade. Making the already cumbersome H-2A program more difficult for employers to use hurts our economy by restricting the labor supply and thus one of the components of the job multiplier effect.

"The labor shortage we face in agriculture is very real and is only going to get worse if we don't address it properly through congressional action," said Washington Farm Bureau President Steve Appel. "People are under the false impression that the high unemployment rate is now allowing farmers to get the workers that they need. This is simply not the case."

If these rules are allowed to stand, farmers will be unable to attract sufficient workers, and Americans will be forced to rely more heavily on fruits, vegetables, and other commodities imported from other countries. In order to produce affordable, safe food, farmers need access to a legal and stable workforce. Otherwise, farmers will replace labor-intensive crops with those that can be mechanically harvested, due to a lack of workers.

The solution offered by the Obama administration's final rule on the H-2A foreign worker program only makes an already bad situation worse. These rules are going to make it especially hard for family-owned farms and other small family-owned businesses -- the backbone of our state's economy -- to stay afloat.

The lawsuit requests the issuance of a temporary restraining order. A hearing date has not been set.

Links to WFB News Releases:

News Releases 2009

News Releases 2008

News Releases 2007

News Releases 2006

News Releases 2005

If you are interested in receving Farm Bureau news releases directly in your e-mail, please contact WFB's PR Director Mollie Hammar at (800) 331- 3276.