Agriculture
Washington’s farmers and ranchers are critical to our
state’s economy, environment, and quality of life. Our
state produces more than 230
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Sen. Murray tours the Apple Packing Warehouse
in Yakima.
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commodities that are consumed across our nation and around the globe.
But our farmers are reeling from four years of low prices, unfair dumping
of imports, drought and natural disasters, and closed foreign markets.
I have fought to give our agricultural producers, farmworkers, and
rural communities more opportunities to achieve their dreams. That means
creating an effective safety net to get our farmers through hard times,
opening new international and domestic markets for our high quality
products, securing funding for research initiatives, supporting value-added
businesses that create new jobs, helping to turn today’s agricultural
products into tomorrow’s energy resources, and expanding housing,
education, and job training opportunities for farmworkers.
These are just a few of the ways we can ensure a brighter future for
Washington state’s farmers and ranchers, and the workers, businesses,
and communities that depend on their success.
“One of the reasons I feel so strongly about American agriculture is
because it’s been part of my family going back many years, and it’s
something I take a lot of pride in. In the early 1900s, my grandfather moved
his family to the Tri-Cities to take a job with the Welch’s processing
plant in Kennewick, Washington.
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 orchards and businesses were to Washington state’s economy,
and I’ve never forgotten that.
As I raised my own family, I always made sure we had a fruit tree where we
lived so I could remind myself of my years growing up -- but also to show my
kids what a resource we have in Washington state and across the country. I can’t
imagine discussing the economy and character of my state without a box of apples
or a bushel of wheat...in the picture.”
-- Senator Murray |
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Recent News Releases
7/29/2008
Murray Urges Passage of Bill to Extend Sales Tax Deduction for WA Residents, Create Jobs, and Shore Up Highway Trust Fund
7/17/2008
Senator Murray Secures Millions for Washington State Agriculture Priorities
7/17/2008
Murray Secures $1.87 Million for New Agricultural Research Facility at WSU
7/8/2008
President Responds to Gift of Washington State Asparagus
6/18/2008
Murray, Hastings Send Washington Asparagus to President Bush
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