Agriculture

Sen. Murray tours the Apple Packing Warehouse in Yakima.

Washington’s farmers and ranchers are critical to our state’s economy, environment, and quality of life. Agriculture is the largest industry in Washington state. We are the nation’s third-largest producer of fruits and vegetables – also known as specialty crops – and we produce more than 250 specialty crops and grains consumed across our nation and around the globe. Washington is also the nation’s fifth largest producer of wheat.

I talk and visit regularly with agriculture communities across Washington state, and I know that our farmers face constant challenges – from difficult market conditions and changing weather patterns, to natural disasters and high input costs. That’s why I have consistently fought in Washington, D.C., for our agricultural producers, farmworkers, and rural communities.

I am working to keep our rural communities strong and ensure a bright future for our state’s farm families. These families need a safety net that will help them get through hard times. Our state’s high-quality farm products need open international and domestic markets. We must fund agricultural research initiatives. And we have to expand housing, education, and job training opportunities for farmworkers.

My Priorities

Providing federal funding for agricultural research to help promote scientific advances, which farmers, ranchers, and growers rely on to stay competitive.
Ensuring the agriculture industry has access to the workforce it needs to run successful businesses.
Maintaining a safety net to help our farmers, growers, and ranchers during difficult times, such as natural disasters.
Increasing investments in specialty crop programs to ensure this growing sector receives adequate support.
Supporting efforts to help farmers, ranchers, and growers efficiently transport their products from the farm to the market.

My Accomplishments

Restored and increased federal funding for agricultural research, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Supported important specialty crop, disaster assistance, and nutrition provisions in the 2008 Farm Bill.
Helped create the National Clean Plant Network, which provides a source of clean, virus-free root stocks for our tree-fruit, wine-grape, and nut-tree industries.
Expanded nutrition programs that allow our local agriculture industry to provide nutritious food to our state’s schools.
Increased federal funding for dredging of the Columbia River to deepen the channel, allowing barges with agricultural products to pass with ease.

“One of the reasons I feel so strongly about American agriculture is because it’s been part of my family going back many years, and it’s something I take a lot of pride in. In the early 1900s, my grandfather moved his family to the Tri-Cities to take a job with the Welch’s processing plant in Kennewick, Washington.

As a young child, I remember many trips to the central part of Washington state at harvest time to visit my grandmother, who remained in the area after my grandfather’s death. To this day, the smell of fresh picked fruit reminds me of my childhood. To my dad, it meant much more. It was how his family put food on the table and paid the mortgage. I grew up understanding how important family-run orchards and businesses were to Washington state’s economy, and I’ve never forgotten that.

As I raised my own family, I always made sure we had a fruit tree where we lived so I could remind myself of my years growing up -- but also to show my kids what a resource we have in Washington state and across the country. I can’t imagine discussing the economy and character of my state without a box of apples or a bushel of wheat...in the picture.”

-- Senator Murray

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Recent News Releases

11/18/2009
Murray Applauds Passage of Food Safety Bill through Key Senate Committee

10/15/2009
Columbia Basin Water Project Included in Final Version of Spending Bill

10/15/2009
WA Agriculture: Murray Announces Big Boost for Local Growers Efforts to Market Specialty Crops

10/8/2009
WSU Agriculture Facility Wins Funding: Final Version of Senate Bill Includes Research Center

10/8/2009
Washington State Agricultural Funding Included in Final Version of Spending Bill