Protecting Our Agricultural Heritage

Washington was once known for its thriving agricultural economy. With fertile soil and a favorable climate, farming should remain one of our greatest strengths.

 

Instead, farms across the state are struggling.

 

The Numbers Tell the Story

 

• Washington is losing approximately two farms every week

• Washington ranks last in net farm revenue and farmer take-home pay

• Neighboring states continue to outperform Washington:

  • California: $19 billion in net farm returns

  • Idaho: $2.2 billion

  • Oregon: $836 million

 

Years of increasing regulations and taxes have pushed many family farms to the brink.

 

Why Should This Alarm Everyone?

 

As farms close, local food production declines, making our communities more dependent on outside sources for food and increasing long-term costs for consumers. Importing food from other places creates more greenhouse gas emissions and we don’t have any control over how it was grown and whether it is safe to eat. We need food security locally to ensure our local communities have what they need.