Here it is! This is the second half of our conversation with Stacey Crnich, CEO of GoodRoots Northwest. In case you missed Part 1, check it out right here and listen to the great stories that Stacey shared!

Stacey shares with our listeners about the partnerships that she has developed with farmers and ranchers that are benefitting them both in big ways as well as some of the innovations that GoodRoots Northwest is developing. Check this second part of our conversation out!

GoodRoots Northwest has developed an amazing network and collaboration within their community between their food redistribution efforts and the local farmers and ranchers to help provide fresh foods to families in their area (and that area is growing fast).

Visit GoodRoots Northwest online at www.goodroots.org.

This is the first half of our conversation with Stacey Crnich, CEO of GoodRoots Northwest. GoodRoots Northwest has developed an amazing network and collaboration within their community between their food redistribution efforts and the local farmers and ranchers to help provide fresh foods to families in their area (and that area is growing fast).

Stacey shares with our listeners about the power of asking "Why?" and taking on hard tasks because people are worth it. Check this first part of our conversation out!

Check out GoodRoots Northwest online at www.goodroots.org.

Tuesday, March 26, Governor Inslee vetoed section 6 of the SB 5784 to create an elk collaring pilot program with a data share agreement that farmers could access to track elk before they cross private property lines and cause damage to crops. The vetoed section was replaced with a cooperative agreement between Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Yakama Tribe. Additionally, SB 5784, increases overall funding for farmers who suffer damage from deer and elk, while capping individual claims for damaged crops at $30,000.

“The Governor’s solution to section 6 of the bill is concerning as the cooperative agreement provides no assurances that farmers will receive data from the collaring pilot program,” said Caleb Gwerder, WFB’s Governmental Affairs Coordinator. “Without the data share agreement, farmers will continue to lose the battle against wildlife damages to crops.”

On Monday, March 18, Washington Farm Bureau joined stakeholders as Governor Inslee signed SB 5150 into law. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Shewmake, modifies the Beef Checkoff program by increasing the state’s levied assessment on cattle while also introducing a refund program.

Thursday, March 7, marked the final day of the 2024 Legislative Session. Washington Farm Bureau worked tirelessly throughout the session to help shape legislation that would impact agriculture within Washington. As the session concluded, key Farm Bureau leaders provided their perspective.

On Thursday, March 7, the gavel fell to close Washington State’s 2024 Legislative Session. The various budgets have passed, a slew of bills are now working their way over to the Governor’s desk, and Legislators are packing their bags to head home for the interim.

While there is always more work to do, this is a wonderful time to pause for a moment and reflect on the great progress and positive steps that Washington Farm Bureau was able to make during the 2024 legislative session.

Check out our full bill list and see the status of all of the legislation WFB has been following this session.

With the final committee cutoff behind us, the remainder of the legislative session will be focused on floor action. Legislators will be negotiating together and meeting with stakeholders to fine-tune the remaining bills still in play.

Here are several ways that you can help us oppose the inclusion of a dredge and fill permit and fee in the state's supplemental operating budget:

1. Are you active on Social Media? Share WFB’s Facebook Post with others on your social media page.
2. Do you have an active email following? Forward the Action Alert on to others via email.
3. Do you have media contacts? Send the open letter from WFB President Rosella Mosby to any media contacts in your area.

4. Would your friends, family, and neighbors care? Forward our press release and audio report to others.

Listen to April Clayton's visit with John Carlson as they discuss the impacts new regulations are having on farms throughout the state.

As lawmakers wrap up the 2024 Legislative Session, budget leaders are working on a final agreement for the proposed supplemental operating budgets. The House version contains a budget proviso authorizing the Department of Ecology (Ecology) to create a dredge and fill permit and fee program. Washington Farm Bureau (WFB) opposes the proviso as it deeply impacts landowners who were not given the opportunity for a public debate to voice their perspective on this issue.