Share With DC The Struggles Farm County Is Facing, Newhouse Says

A poll conducted earlier this year shows farmers feel neither political party cares about the top issues facing farm country. That same poll also showed 75% of farmers feel elected officials in D.C. don’t understand what’s it’s like to work on a farm in 2026, while more than said government policies over the last year have hurt their farm, even jeopardizing their ability to pass it on to future generations.

Central Washington Representative Dan Newhouse, a farmer himself, said it can feel like Congress doesn’t understand the issues before farm county because, so few are ag producers themselves.

“Out of 535 members of both the House and Senate, there's less than two dozen farmers or ranchers," Newhouse said. "And so, the understanding of the challenges in ag country is not very deep by the members of either the House or the Senate. So, it's been a constant effort on my part and others to educate people, to make them understand the importance of some of the things that have to get done here in DC because they truly affect the ag economy and ag communities across the country.”

Making that disconnect even more challenging is the bad farm economy the industry is facing, which Newhouse called some of the worst economic times before farmers he can remember.

"The economy is not good," he stated. "The profitability on farms is almost nonexistent and people here are getting that message and we have to continue to deliver it. I understand the frustration. I hear it from friends and neighbors and family members too, that people in D.C. just don't get it. The good news is that's changing, but the challenge is we have to keep sending that message to people here in D.C.”

Newhouse added regardless of party, it is important farmers, growers and ranchers across the Northwest communicate with their member of the House, and both senators, to let them know what’s taking place and the struggles the ag community is really facing.

For more of our conversation with Newhouse, including his thoughts on G.T. Thompson’s Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, the Farm Bill and more, check out our podcast:

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com