LEGISLATURE 2025-26 / RON MUZZALL: These are troubling times for WA farmers

The Seattle Times printed this opinion piece by Sen. Ron Muzzall (R-Oak Harbor) on Tue., Feb. 18, 2025. Read the whole article.

Washington’s agricultural roots run deep. As the number one producer of apples, blueberries, hops and sweet cherries, our state has long been a cornerstone of American agriculture. Yet, despite its vital role in feeding the nation and supporting our economy, Washington’s agriculture is in a precarious position. Over the past five years, the number of farms in our state has decreased by 10%, while farmland itself has diminished by 6%. These numbers tell a troubling story of an industry under siege.

The challenges facing our small farms are staggering. Rising production costs, razor-thin profit margins, and an increasingly complex regulatory environment are making it nearly impossible for many family farms to stay afloat. Farmers today earn just 8 to 14 cents for every dollar consumers spend on groceries. The rest goes to processing, transportation and retail. That means from a typical family’s monthly grocery bill of $1,280, a farmer sees only $179. How can we expect them to thrive under these conditions?