judy warnick

Judy Warnick says she’s see a disturbing trend across her senate district.  The Moses Lake Republican said she has seen several solar farms crop up on active farm land across Kittitas County.  And while installing solar panels may not take the land out of farm production technically, she noted it makes it challenge to move equipment, livestock, and run a day to day operation.   Warnic...

Nearly 100 people gathered in Pasco Thursday for the 2019 Tri-Cities Farm Hall, hosted by the Washington Policy Center.  Pam Lewison, Agriculture Research Director at WPC, applauded the audience participation, adding the forum allowed those who cannot travel to Olympia during the legislative session an opportunity to get engaged.  ...

Thursday, the Washington Policy Center will hold their annual Farm Hall in the Tri-Cities.  This year’s event will take place at the Northwest Farm Credit Services branch on St. Thomas in Pasco.  Pam Lewison with the WPC said these Farm Halls allow the agriculture community to discuss policy and potential legislation in an informal setting.   “Gives...

The Washington state Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations for its Livestock Identification Advisory Committee.  In April, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 5959, a new law intended to modernize the program and restore it to financial solvency.  It also...

On Wednesday, the Washington Legislature gave the final approval, permitting large-scale industrial hemp production.  Senate Bill 5276 creates an agricultural commodity program under the Washington state Department of Agriculture to regulate the production of hemp.  Fe...

After a lot of back and forth, lawmakers in Olympia have cleared legislation that will save the Livestock ID program.  The state run program has been in the red the past couple of years to a tune of $500,000 annually.  Senate Bill 5959 sponsored by Moses Lake Republican Judy Warnick increased the number of members of the Livestock Identification Advisory Committee, changes certain types of fees fo

Lawmakers in Olympia continue to look at ways to save the Livestock ID program, which is currently running in the red.  Over the past couple of years, the Livestock ID program has lost roughly $500,000 a year, and may be closed by the Washington state Department of Agriculture.  Se...

Ask state Senator Judy Warnick, she’ll tell you the 2019 legislative session is very scary for the Washington Agriculture industry.  She points to Senate Bill 5693 which she calls a slap in the face of farmers.  The legislation would require farmers to report any slavery or human trafficking used on their operation.  Warnick point...

Lawmakers and the Ag industry continue to work in Olympia to fix the Livestock ID program, which has been running into the red for several years.  Senate minority leader Mark Schoesler said while everyone acknowledges the Brand Program needs to be fixed, it’s not an easy task.  He said ...

The 2019 Washington Legislative Session kicks off January 14th, and there will be a host of issues the Ag community will watch with a close eye.  State Senator Judy Warnick said in her option, the top issue for the upcoming session is pesticide drift.  ...