Haugen hosts legislative panel with Skagit farmers to “cultivate the future”

OLYMPIA — Following up on her pivotal role in the creation of the Office of Farmland Preservation during the 2007 legislative session, Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, hosted a legislative panel in Olympia to discuss the prospects for young farmers in Washington. more>>>

McAuliffe welcomes Korean delegation to Washington

OLYMPIA – A group of Korean dignitaries and educators will visit Washington this week as part of ongoing efforts between leaders in Washington and the Republic of Korea to enhance work force training partnerships. more>>>

Kastama heads to Taiwan on trade mission

OLYMPIA — What do members of the Legislature do when they are not in session? For those who are responsible for keeping our economy humming along, they’ll spend part of their summer trying to improve economic relations with one of our state’s top10 trading partners. more>>>

Governor gives farmers the option to use biodiesel

OLYMPIA – This week, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law legislation that offers farmers an incentive to begin using biodiesel fuel to power their equipment. more>>>

Farmland preservation bill signed into law

OLYMPIA – As more and more housing developers set their sights on acquiring scenic and relatively inexpensive agricultural lands, farming communities across our state face the prospect of irreversible changes to their essential character. more>>>

How sweet it is! Local students look on as Walla Walla sweet onion becomes official state veggie

OLYMPIA – Supervised by teacher Alex Hansen, students from Eatonville Middle School journeyed to Olympia as part of a real-world civics lesson in how a bill becomes a law. more>>>

Hatfield moves bill to protect farmlands

OLYMPIA – A bill supported by Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, to help maintain the commercial viability of Washington’s farmlands was amended and passed by the House April 13. Once the Senate has concurred with the amendments the bill will move to the governor for her signature. more>>>

House passes Haugen bills to preserve farmland, fine ferry line cutters

OLYMPIA — Farmers will have a greater role in the statewide effort to maintain farmland, and motorists who cut in ferry lines will be subject to fines, under two bills passed Tuesday by the House of Representatives. more>>>

Grain elevator bill moves out of Senate with strong support

OLYMPIA – The Port of Longview is one step closer to becoming the home of a new grain export facility with the passage of Senate Bill 5805 by the Senate on April 9. more>>>

Eatonville Middle School students testify before Senate committee

OLYMPIA – Some people ridicule what they consider to be the more eccentric bills that move through the Legislature. But don’t tell the students at Eatonville Middle School that a bill to designate the Walla Walla sweet onion as the official state vegetable isn’t important. more>>>

Senate moves on new crop of Rasmussen farm bills

OLYMPIA – Several bills sponsored by Sen. Marilyn Rasmussen, D-Eatonville, have been approved by the state Senate and move to the House of Representatives for further consideration. more>>>

Senate moves bills to protect farmlands

OLYMPIA – Bills supported by Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, to help maintain the commercial viability of Washington’s farmlands recognize the need to protect Washington agriculture from future regulation under critical area ordinances. more>>>

Senate passes Haugen bill to preserve farmland across Washington

OLYMPIA — Farmers would have a stronger voice in the preservation of farmland across Washington under a bill sponsored by Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, and passed Thursday by the Senate on a 44-3 vote with two members excused. more>>>

Crabbers make compelling case in Senate committee

OLYMPIA – For years, Washington crabbers have struggled with competition and the long-term sustainability of their livelihood. This week, they presented their remedy to the Senate Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation Committee. more>>>

Veterinary technicians seek licensure status

OLYMPIA – A group of students from Pierce College’s Veterinary Technology Program came to Olympia in support of Senate Bill 5485, sponsored by Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch. The bill would change a veterinary technician’s credentialing from registration to licensure. It was heard today in the Senate Agriculture & Rural Economic Development Committee. more>>>

Haugen accelerates efforts to preserve farmland across Washington

OLYMPIA — Mike Rundlett of the Western WA Agriculture Association says “the greatest threat to farming in western Washington is the loss of agricultural farm land.” more>>>

Bill would make small farm assistance program permanent

OLYMPIA – Since 2001, the state Department of Agriculture has administered a temporary program that helps small family farms in the direct marketing of their products. Last week the Senate Agriculture & Rural Economic Development Committee took steps to make that program permanent. more>>>