Agriculture

Ninety-five percent of the world’s mouths to feed live outside the United States, and 160,000 people in Washington are gainfully employed in feeding them, yet the state’s $40 billion agricultural export trade is threatened by Congress’ prolonged failure to write a new farm bill. The farm bill stalemate is another Tea Party-caused breakdown of business in Washington,… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., was named to the conference committee working to pass a farm bill. Conference committees are made up of members from the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate and are used to negotiate when the two branches pass different version of a bill. The House passed a farm bill last summer separate from a food stamp bill that would cut about $40 billion in… Read more »

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene was named as a member of the conference committee to negotiate a reauthorized Farm Bill. The House of Representatives yesterday passed a resolution to enter formal talks with the Senate, and today named their conferees. DelBene issued the following statement: “I’m honored to have been appointed to the conference committee to negotiate a… Read more »

BURLINGTON — More educational offerings and support services for beginning farmers will be added to the Viva Farms program in Burlington as a result of a substantial federal grant from the Department of Agriculture. As part of $3.2 million in federal Specialty Crop Block Grants recently provided to the state, Viva Farms received $115,226 to fund a case study of the Viva model and… Read more »

SEATTLE — Most crab fishermen from Washington are already in Alaska preparing for the start of the season in just ten days, but if the government shutdown drags on, they’ll be forced to stay docked. “The problem is the federal government is the one that actually issues the permits,” said Mark Gleason, who represents the industry. “The people in charge of… Read more »

A few key federal grants announced this week could help Whatcom County berry farmers improve growing efficiency and export sales.The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded $3.2 million in Specialty Crop Block Grants to Washington state, with about $345,000 going toward programs that will benefit local farmers. The funding for these grants is already in place and shouldn't be affected… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene praised the announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today that $3.2 million in grants were awarded to Washington state through the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) Program. These grants will support Washington producers of fresh fruits and vegetables by funding research to improve growing practices and helping farmers gain… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene gave the following remarks on the floor of the House Representatives today regarding her vote on the latest version of the Farm Bill, which fails to authorize nutrition programs.  It would harm millions of working families, seniors and children. The full text, as prepared for delivery, is below:“Mr. Speaker, I rise with great disappointment today.… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene released the following statement following the House of Representatives failed to approve a new Farm Bill:“As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I’ve worked to ensure that our local farmers and food producers have a strong voice in Congress. Additionally, I’ve fought for a Farm Bill that is humane and protects our safety net which… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene introduced amendments to the Farm Bill that would save free school meals and update eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) while also reducing the federal deficit. Currently, H.R. 1947, the Farm Bill, cuts $20.5 billion from nutrition programs like SNAP, which would result in nearly two million people losing SNAP benefits… Read more »