Dear friends and neighbors,
I wanted to share with you some of the great, bipartisan work we’ve been doing in the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee.
Our goal is to look for new and better ways to help Washington’s rural communities thrive while ensuring we protect our natural resources for generations to come.
On that note, there were a couple of bills we heard this week to help out Washington’s small family farms through grant programs, reducing regulations and more, because without our farmers, we don’t have food — it’s that simple.
One bill is a bipartisan effort to expand opportunities for organic farmers, so they can more easily produce and sell their products. The sale and demand for organic foods has exploded over the past 15 years, but small farms have been hard hit. This bill, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias, will cut red tape, so small family farms can better compete with the big guys.
Another bill, sponsored by Sen. Sharon Shewmake, makes changes to the Sustainable Farms and Fields grant program to provide farmers access to better equipment and other needs while reducing carbon emissions. That’s a win-win.
It’s everyone’s job to try and leave our state in a better place than we found it for future generations, and last week, the future paid our committee a visit.
I strongly encourage you to click on the photo above and listen to the impressive remarks delivered by Emily Ryder from Ellensburg, who is the 2024-25 state president for the Washington Future Farmers of America. I think you’ll agree after hearing Emily talk, that the future of farming in our state is in good hands.
THERE’S STILL TIME TO BECOME A SENATE PAGE!
The Senate Page Program is still accepting applications for 2025. Open to students 14-16 years old, this fun, week-long experience includes page school, assisting senators, and learning about the legislative process — all while getting paid. Scholarships and host family housing are available too.
Click here to learn more and apply!
STAY IN TOUCH
Our office is always ready to help you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us and share your thoughts or concerns. This work can’t — and shouldn’t — happen without you.
Thank you for being such an essential part of our community and for your continued trust. It is an honor to serve you in Olympia.
Sincerely,
Mike Chapman [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
