Agriculture

USDA has awarded a $3.6 million grant to the Seattle Jobs Initiative (SGI) to set up a so-called Center of Excellence designed to develop and disseminate best practices to help state job training centers find work for participants in the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP). This will “enable us to centralize our efforts to improve our (SNAP) employment… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today spoke on the House floor in recognition of October as National Farm to School Month:   “I rise to celebrate Farm to School Month. Having healthy food in our schools is crucial. We know that when students are provided with wholesome foods, they are more likely to pay attention in class and learn. “In addition, by introducing… Read more »

Dear Friend, Last week was an eventful one in Washington’s First Congressional District. We had both Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Interior Secretary Sally Jewell visit us. On Tuesday, Secretary Vilsack joined me for a community conversation with local farmers, foresters and ranchers at Washington State University’s (WSU) Mount Vernon… Read more »

MOUNT VERNON — About 180 farmers and ranchers from throughout the state packed the auditorium at the Washington State University Mount Vernon Extension Center on Tuesday for a forum with U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. DelBene and Vilsack answered questions from WSU president Dan Bernardo for a half hour,… Read more »

MOUNT VERNON – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today spoke with local farmers at Washington State University’s (WSU) Mount Vernon Research Center. “It’s an honor to host Secretary Vilsack in the beautiful and abundant First District,” DelBene said. “Our farmers produce some of the… Read more »

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) introduced the State Marijuana And Regulatory Tolerance (SMART) Enforcement Act to protect medical patients, recreational users and businesses in states that have legalized marijuana from being prosecuted now or retroactively in the future. “My bill will fix the conflict between state and federal law by giving the U.S. Attorney General… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) issued the following statement regarding the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry hearing on the 2015 fire season and long-term trends: “I’m very pleased that the subcommittee has called this hearing, though I think it’s long overdue. This is the first hearing solely on wildfires in more than a decade. This… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today welcomed Washington State University’s Jim Moyer to testify at a hearing of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research highlighting innovative research being done at land grant universities. “I am happy that Dr. Jim Moyer from Washington State University was here today to share his perspective and… Read more »

Dear Friend, Last month at the Mount Vernon Farmer’s Market, I spoke about the importance of helping to ensure families have access to local, healthy foods. Unfortunately, House leaders continue to insinuate that our nation’s nutrition programs are too generous and discourage people from working – a perpetual stereotype that couldn’t be further from the truth. Read more »

SEATTLE – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today visited the Seattle YWCA, a recipient of part of the $22 million job-training pilot program she helped secure for Washington state. DelBene met with participants who could benefit from the pilot program. “Helping people find good-paying, long-term employment in a high-demand industry is the best way to ensure everyone has… Read more »