Washington Highlighting Agriculture This Month

March has been designated as Washington Agriculture Month.  On Monday, Governor Bob Ferguson issued a proclamation highlighting agriculture as a cornerstone of Washington’s economy, culture and communities. 

The proclamation states in part, “declaring March as Washington Agriculture Month provides an opportunity for all Washington residents to recognize and celebrate the essential role of agriculture in our daily lives, to learn where their food and products come from, and to support the people and communities who make it possible; and to inspire future generations to pursue careers in agriculture and related fields.”

The goal of the proclamation is to underscores the importance of farmers and ranchers, but also the many additional partners who make agriculture possible, including producers, farmworkers, processors, distributors, researchers, educators, tribes and state and local agencies. 
“Agriculture touches every corner of our state, from family farms to global exports,” said Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison. “Washington Agriculture Month is a chance to celebrate the people who grow, raise and produce the food and products we depend on every day.”

Washington Ag: An International Impact

Washington is home to more than 32,000 farms and ranches, operating on nearly 13.9 million acres. These farms produce more than 300 commodities and support food systems locally, nationally and globally. The global reach of Washington agriculture is significant, as more than $7.6 billion in Washington-grown or processed food and agricultural products were exported to international markets in 2024. 

Washington ranks first in the nation in production of apples, blueberries, hops, onions, pears, spearmint oil and sweet cherries, and second in apricots, grapes, potatoes, raspberries and winter wheat. 

“Washington Agriculture Month is about more than crops,” Sandison added. “It’s about people, innovation, stewardship of the land and ensuring a strong future for agriculture in our state.” 

March Will Be A Busy Month For Farm Country

Farming communities across the state, and the nation, will also celebrate National Agriculture Week, which runs March 15th–21st, as well as National Agriculture Day which falls on March 24th.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com