WSFB Head Optimistic Despite Challenging Environment

Regardless of your commodity, farming in Washington is very challenging right now.  Rosella Mosby, President of the Washington Farm Bureau said unfortunately, farmers across the Evergreen state are very discouraged.

“You know, markets haven't been great for a lot of folks and we have overtime in Washington state, so we're all dealing with that adjustment. Feeling pretty, you know, typically over regulated and underrepresented as I think a lot of folks in Ag do just in Washington due to our political climate.”

Mosby added there are a host of other challenges facing producers in Washington, from fuel taxes, to labor shortages, to input costs, just to mention a few.

But, that’s where she said the Farm Bureau can help.  She says the organization can assist the ag industry to come together with a unified voice, whether in Olympia, D.C., or in the media, to share the story of farming.  And the Farm Bureau is one of the points of encouragement Mosby sees, noting that a host of young farmers across the state want to be involved in the WSFB, and not just because of politics.

“It really is about building relationships and networking and meeting people and if we can tie in those mentor types within our group that have been around for a while with younger folks who want to get involved, Young Farmers & Ranchers Program, Women in Leadership, Promotion & Education, things like that, There’s a lot of room for everybody in agriculture to be able to advocate for what they need to be successful.”

Mosby noted not only are there a host of young farmers getting involved across Washington, but female operators are becoming more involved as well.  She said currently, over 40% of farm operators are women, which is reflected in Washington Farm Bureau leadership, at the state and local levels.

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