Spokane, Wash. – Last Thursday, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) welcomed House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson to Eastern Washington. Together, the lawmakers visited the Spokane Hutterian Brethren’s farm and hosted a roundtable with agriculture leaders from across Washington’s 5th Congressional District to discuss the 2023 Farm Bill, which is currently being developed in the House of Representatives.

“It was wonderful welcoming Chairman Thompson to Eastern Washington last week and introducing him to some of the leading agricultural producers in our region,” said Rodgers. “These folks are responsible for our region’s legacy of helping to feed the world, and I appreciate the chairman taking time to hear from them, especially as we work on the Farm Bill this year. I’m looking forward to putting our heads together to protect crop insurance, expand market access, support specialty crop research, and ensure the future success of the American farmer!”

Every five years, Congress works on the Farm Bill to authorize programs designed to support agriculture nationwide. Chairman Thompson’s Committee on Agriculture has jurisdiction over this legislation and will play an integral role in its development in the House of Representatives.

“It was a privilege to join my colleague, Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers, in eastern Washington last week to hear directly from producers in her district,” said Chairman Thompson. “This direct feedback about what’s working and what’s not in ag policy is critical to draft the next Farm Bill.”

Following a tour of the Spokane Hutterian Brethren’s farm, the lawmakers held a roundtable discussion with more than a dozen agriculture leaders, including local farmers, business leaders, association representatives, and state legislators.

The group had a discussion about the importance of the Farm Bill to agriculture in Eastern Washington and shared their priorities for this year’s legislation, which included protecting crop insurance, expanding trade market access, combating forest fires, and supporting farming families in the 21st century.

Below is a list of attendees from Thursday’s event:

• Paul Gross, Hutterite Farm
• WA State Senator Mark Schoesler 
• Josslinn Schoesler, Cattle Producers of Washington President 
• Alex McGregor, McGregor Company 
• Leslie Druffel, McGregor Company 
• Fred Fleming, Farmer 
• Bruce Nelson, Nelson Wheat 
• Andrew Nelson, Nelson Wheat 
• Duane Vaagen, Vaagen Bros 
• Wendy Powers, Washington State University
• Mary Palmer Sullivan, WA Wheat Growers Association 
• Mike Carstensen, WA Grain Commissioner  
• Randy Suess, Wheat Farmer  
• Joe Schmick, 9th District State Representative 
• Ryan Higginbotham, Highline Grain Growers 
• Sue Lani Madsen, Farmer 
• Jason Echelbarger, Farmer

###