Issue Position: Agriculture

Issue Position

"As a young child, I remember many trips to the central part of Washington state at harvest time to visit my grandmother, who remained in the area after my grandfather's death. To this day, the smell of fresh picked fruit reminds me of my childhood. To my dad, it meant much more. It was how his family put food on the table and paid the mortgage. I grew up understanding how important family-run farms, orchards and businesses were to Washington state's economy, and I've never forgotten that."

-- Senator Patty Murray

Washington's farmers and ranchers are critical to our state's economy, environment, and quality of life. Our state produces hundreds of commodities, from wheat to fruits and vegetables, that are consumed around the country and around the world.

Fun Facts About Washington Agriculture:

* Ranks third in the country for specialty crop production.

* Over 600 wineries across the state.

* Ranks fifth in the country in wheat production.

* Agriculture is Washington's number one employer, employing over 160,000 and contributing $42 billion to Washington's economy.

* Third largest exporting state, with $9.3 billion exported from Washington ports in 2007.

Top Crops by Value: Apples, milk, wheat, potatoes, cattle, hay, nursery/greenhouse, cherries, pears, grapes.

Washington is the number one producer of these crops: red raspberries, hops, wrinkled seed peas, spearmint oil, apples, sweet cherries, concord grapes, peppermint oil, prunes/plums, processing carrots.

2008 Farm Bill

In 2008, Senator Murray helped pass the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (2008 Farm Bill), the best Farm Bill in years for Washington state. The bill continues to provide a safety net for Washington's wheat, pea and lentil growers. It also increases funding for critical conservation and energy programs.

The 2008 Farm Bill, for the first time ever, included over $3 billion in funding for farmers who grow fruits and vegetables -- referred to as specialty crops. Washington is the third-ranked specialty crop producing state in the nation.

The specialty crop provisions in the 2008 Farm Bill include:

* National Clean Plant Network -- Senator Murray championed inclusion of a National Clean Plant Network, funded at $4 million per year, to ensure growers have a supply of virus-free plant material. Washington State University-Prosser will play an integral role in the Network.

* Market Loss Program for Asparagus Growers -- Over the past decade, asparagus growers all over the country have been harmed by cheap imports of asparagus, with Washington being hit especially hard. This market loss program, funded at $15 million, will help our asparagus growers get back on their feet and continue planting this crop.

* Specialty Crop Block Grants -- Washington's growers will be able to use the competitively awarded Specialty Crop Block Grants to promote activities that will increase consumption and enhance global competitiveness.

* Specialty Crop Research Initiative -- Producers will benefit from increased research funding that will focus on enhancing product quality, improving disease resistance, and will result in our growers being more competitive in a global marketplace.

The 2008 Farm Bill also makes important strides in nutrition for our country, including over $10 billion in funding increases for these important programs. It will increase funding to Washington state by $164 million over the next ten years, and funds the following:

* Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -- Formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, increased funding will put a stop to benefit erosion, strengthening the food purchasing power of low-income Americans.

* The Emergency Food Assistance Program -- Increased funding will allow providers like soup kitchens and food banks to continue to serve low-income Americans.

* Elimination of the Child Care Deduction Cap -- Washington state has the nation's third highest child care costs, and eliminating the cap on this deduction will allow these families greater access to Food and Nutrition Programs.

Supporting Agriculture Research

* Senator Murray has provided millions of dollars in agriculture research and development funding for Washington state's agriculture industry. Her efforts include, for several years, restoring approximately $4 million in annual cuts proposed by the Bush Administration. Senator Murray has funded agriculture research initiatives for asparagus, wheat, potatoes, barley, shellfish, hops, wine grapes and small fruits. She has also championed funding for a new Agricultural Research Service laboratory at Washington State University in Pullman.

* Senator Murray has aided new agricultural industries in Washington like the growing wine industry.. She secured funding to assist with viniculture research across the Pacific Northwest, and regularly meets with industry leaders to discuss the continued growth of the Washington Wine Industry.

Making US Producers Globally Competitive

* Senator Murray has been a tireless advocate for Washington's agricultural products overseas. She has supported programs like the Market Access Program to help Washington farmers increase their exports of agricultural products including wine, dairy, potatoes, wheat, peas and lentils, apples, pears, hops, and cranberries. She has also supported the Northwest Agriculture Business Center, to better connect local producers with markets.

* Senator Murray has fought for Washington farmers in international trade disputes including: gaining access to China for Pacific Northwest wheat, reducing the dumping of Chinese apple juice concentrate, improving access to Mexico for Washington state apples, and working to lower barriers to exports of U.S. potato products to China and Japan. Senator Murray successfully fought to eliminate the Japanese ban on imports of U.S. Beef, and continues to work to open other markets such as those in China and Korea.

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