A Reckoning for Washington State Agriculture

The release of a new government report detailing the many challenges facing Washington state agriculture producers could easily be considered bad news, but “Washington Agriculture at a Crossroads,” released in mid-February, should be cause for celebration in that it calls attention to the threats to farm viability emanating from public policies.

Some elected and appointed officials recognize the plight of those who produce our food, but most do not understand that much of the harm has been caused by policies they have created or allowed to stand.

The end result for far too many orchardists, farmers, and ranchers has been to simply go out of business. Washington lost 10% of its farms between 2002 and 2022.

The report also makes clear that the stakes are high not just for the producers bearing the immediate consequences but also for society. Reminding readers that agriculture contributes between 10% to 13% of Washington’s gross domestic product (GDP), it warns that this contribution is at risk as Washington producers face the lowest profit margins in the nation. It states, “Ensuring the health of both the Washington farm and farmer is essential to the viability of Washington’s communities, ecosystems, and overall economy.”

Why This “Bad News” Matters

Pretty grim stuff. So why celebrate this report? Well, first of all it vindicates and documents what growers have been saying for years: That they are under intense strain, and that their long-term or even short-term viability is in doubt. You cannot begin to address a problem if some of those involved do not recognize its existence.

Second, the report openly acknowledges how many of the threats to agricultural viability have origins in law and regulation or are significantly influenced by them.

Policy Pressures and Structural Vulnerabilities

Washington agriculture is very trade-focused, which has become a vulnerability as trade policy has been in transition. Uncertainty is a particular challenge for perennial crops such as tree fruit, where growers cannot easily modify total production or varietal mix as markets adjust.

Washington’s focus on tree fruit and other labor-intensive specialty crops has contributed to the economic challenges facing the industry. The report notes that “after adjusting for revenue, Washington producers experienced the largest labor cost increase in the nation.” The report also observes that “labor is the single largest production expense in Washington agriculture, increasing 117% between 2016 and 2024.” The increasing reliance on the complex and costly H-2A guest worker visa program and state labor requirements, including overtime pay for agriculture, are significant but not exclusive contributors to this phenomenon.

Infrastructure: The Overlooked Link

The report also notes the importance of the state’s transportation network in ensuring the viability of agriculture. In a state whose other iconic products fly or are transmitted over the internet to their consumers, the importance of maintaining aging road and port infrastructure can be overlooked.

Documenting these challenges to agricultural viability and the role of policy decisions in determining their severity reveals connections which some regulators and legislators have not seen or adequately considered. There is strong bi-partisan interest in ensuring the viability and stability of food production and distribution, but those outside of the food system do not often understand the impact of their actions.

Like an uncomfortable visit to the doctor, a frank statement of the severity of the problem and the contributing factors is often the first step toward changing behavior and moving toward recovery. Even if this report does not prompt action to make changes for the better, drawing attention to the vulnerability of the patient can be helpful in ensuring gentler treatment.

Beyond the Search for a Single Culprit

Past conversations about financial strains in agriculture and farm loss have often looked for a single culprit or led to calls to preserve farms through restrictions on development. But being told you cannot do anything else with a money-losing asset does not feel like being rescued. This report’s emphasis on farm viability, including financial sustainability, is important. And the recognition that there are multiple threats, and therefore multiple solutions, invites action on many fronts instead of a fruitless pursuit of a silver-bullet solution.

From Report to Action

Our fates will not be changed by a government report. But many of our most vexing problems are tied up with red tape, and any recognition of the source and severity of the problem can only help. This is not the end of this discussion; a more detailed and extended version will follow in July. We have been given an important tool for starting meaningful conversations with agencies, elected officials, and our neighbors. Let us use it.

The full report can be found here: Washington Agriculture at a Crossroads: A Baseline Assessment of Agricultural Viability