(Washington, D.C.) A group of 35 Washington Farm Bureau members recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of Congress and their staff to discuss issues facing agriculture in our state.

During that visit, the group presented Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Colville) with the “Friend of Farm Bureau” award for her outstanding voting record on farm issues during the 109th Congress. McMorris Rodgers supported Farm Bureau on all but one of its priority votes during her freshman term in office.

“Cathy was one of our strongest allies in the state legislature, and has become a leading advocate for farmers and ranchers as a member of Congress,” said Washington Farm Bureau President Steve Appel. “It was a pleasure to present her with the first of what I hope will be many more Friend of Farm Bureau awards.”

In meetings with the Washington congressional delegation, Farm Bureau members discussed the need for meaningful immigration reform, including a guest worker program that can provide an adequate supply of legal workers for our state’s labor-intensive agricultural industry. The group also asked for congressional support of trade agreements that allow greater access to foreign markets for U.S. farm products, continued funding of Columbia River channel improvements and future water storage capacity projects in Washington state.

“It is essential that our elected officials hear firsthand from farmers and ranchers how their votes in D.C. affect agriculture back home,” Appel explained. “This annual Farm Bureau trip gives farmers the chance to talk directly to our senators and representatives about the issues that impact them most.”

In addition to Capitol Hill visits, Farm Bureau members attended a trade briefing at the Canadian Embassy, a press conference on Senate legislation to provide incentives to private landowners for endangered species recovery, and tours of the White House, U.S. Capitol Building and Library of Congress.

Photo: (from left to right) Debbie Pearson, Don Smith, Jon Warling, John Pearson, Randy Neatherlin (back row), Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Debbie Vander Veen, Teresa Engelke, Jason Vander Veen, Steve Appel, Cheryl Ouellette, Bob Meeks, Raul de Leon, Hans-Jochen Engelke (back row), Aaron Golladay (back row), Alisa de Leon, Paula Forester, Britt Dudek, Kennon Forester.