Haugen harvests Washington Farm Bureau award

OLYMPIA — The Washington Farm Bureau has recognized Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, for her sponsorship of legislation on key agricultural issues and her and advocacy of critical area ordinance protections and farmland preservation.

“I’m honored that the Washington Farm Bureau has chosen to recognize the work behind some of the important agricultural legislation that was passed last year, and I’m very appreciative of the help they’ve given me in supporting legislation during the current session of the Legislature,” said Haugen.

A strong proponent of preserving farmland, Haugen sponsored Senate Bill 5108 during the 2007 Legislature to create the Office of Farmland Preservation and a Farmland Preservation Task Force. Made up largely of farmers, the task force has already begun working on way to provide current and new generations of farmers with the tools they need to retain agricultural land for agricultural purposes.

Haugen has sponsored several bills during the 2008 Legislature that are also seen as important to maintaining the economic viability of agriculture in Washington.

Senate Bill 6805 directs the State Conservation Commission to establish an agricultural conservation market in Washington through which market forces could provide incentives for farmers to use their land for environmental benefits. The idea behind SB 6805 is to create a system of credits through which farmland could be temporarily set aside for environmental purposes, while still maintaining it as an agricultural resource for the future. It garnered support from diverse groups — including representatives of the Washington Farmland Trust, the Nature Conservancy, and the Washington Farm Bureau — and passed both the Senate and the House with unanimous approval.

Also passing both houses with broad bi-partisan support was Senate Bill 6275, which gives explicit authority to drainage district commissioners to implement their drainage plans that will help meet the needs of both farmers and fish.

Other agriculture related bills sponsored by Haugen this year include Senate Bill 6273, approved by both the Senate and House, to increase the weight restriction for vehicles that may operate on public roads with a farm implement special permit and Senate Bill 6806 to provide a six year property and leasehold excise tax exemption for farmers who invest in anaerobic digesters.

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