Agriculture

House Dairy Caucus Urges USDA to Support Dairy Farmers

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congressional Dairy Farmers Caucus Co-Chairs, Reps. Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Peter Welch (VT-At Large), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Tom Reed (NY-23), and Mike Simpson (ID-02), led a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Purdue urging support for dairy farmers facing an economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Dairy farmers need support immediately,” the…

DelBene Releases Additional COVID-19 Resource Guides for Tribes, Students, Educators, and Farmers

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released additional COVID-19 resources guides to help tribes, students, educators, and farmers navigate the benefits in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the historic $2 trillion relief package recently passed by Congress and signed into law. DelBene’s newly released guides are specific to: …

DelBene, Schrier Call on Trump Administration to End Attack on 700,000 SNAP Recipients

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-08) were joined by SNAP recipients and activists for a discussion on the Trump administration’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rule changes and the effects they will have on Washingtonians. The event took place at Northwest Harvest’s SODO Community Market in downtown Seattle. DelBene…

DelBene Statement on Passage of USMCA

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) made the following statement: “I am pleased that the House of Representatives has approved the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a deal which will support our region’s farmers, workers, and families. “This new agreement includes important provisions that will help our region’s dairy farmers, who for years have struggled to…

Investing in Small Fruit Farmers

| Posted in eNewsletters

Dear Friend, Agriculture is a vital, thriving part of Washington state’s economy. The First Congressional District has more than 4,000 farms that supply restaurants, markets and our local communities. That’s why I introduced legislation this week, along with Rep. Rick Larsen, to amend the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, providing $2.5 million annually to support research for berry…

DelBene Introduces Legislation to Invest in Small Fruit Research

| Posted in Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) introduced legislation that would amend the Specialty Crop Research Initiative to provide $2.5 million annually to support research for berry and grape crops. This funding would address the challenges and emerging needs for Washington state farmers. “Agriculture is a vital, thriving part of Washington state’s economy. The…

DelBene, Reichert, Cantwell, Murray, Washington Colleagues Urge USTR to Address Trade Retaliation Affecting Washington's Economy

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Representative Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Representative Dave Reichert (WA-08), Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) led a bipartisan group of Members of Congress from Washington State urging the United States Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, to address retaliation by our trading…

Supporting Nutrition Assistance

| Posted in eNewsletters

Dear Friend, Ensuring people have access to local and nutritious foods is an absolute necessity. Recently, I met with local nutrition advocates and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to talk about the importance of protecting nutrition programs in the upcoming farm bill. It’s important to remember that these investments not only have an incredibly positive…

Families feast on local food at Tilth Farm Faire

| Posted in In the News

Families snacked on fresh picked carrots and pear or sampled their own harvest from grapevines and apple trees Saturday at the Sno Valley Tilt Farm Faire at Jubilee Farm. The event, an introduction to local and sustainable food for many children in the large crowd, is an annual fundraiser for Tilth. Highlights of Saturday’s festivities included a farm scavenger hunt, hay rides, and a…

Bipartisan, Bicameral PNW Members Defend Their Farmers from NAFTA Renegotiation Threat

| Posted in Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Representative Dave Reichert (WA-08), and Representative Suzan DelBene (WA-01) led a bipartisan group of members of Congress urging the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to abandon a proposal to establish a trade remedy provision for perishable and seasonal products that would harm the competiveness of fruit and…