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After a standing-room-only event this past fall, Whatcom Family Farmers is hosting another informational event to help people prepare for the upcoming water rights adjudication in the Nooksack River Basin.Fred Likkel, Whatcom Family Farmers' Executive Director, joins Dillon with details and why people--particularly farmers and private well owners--…
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Nearly every other state that's enacted overtime pay rules for farm work allows for seasonal flexibility to help both farmworkers and farms--except Washington state.The state Senator who proposed adding flexibility to the law to bring relief for workers and farmers, Sen. Curtis King, joins Dillon to talk about the negative impacts of the poorly-tho…
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Whatcom County water users will begin getting court summons in the mail this summer for the state's water rights lawsuit, and many are still unsure what this will mean for them.Jay Chennault, Principal Hydrologist with consulting firm Associated Earth Sciences, joins Dillon with details on an upcoming event that aims to educate community members ab…
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Many of the environmental efforts squeezing family farming in Washington state are connected to an assumed need for more fish habitat ostensibly to help restore the endangered Chinook salmon.But what if this major push is actually based on a misdiagnosis of the actual problems hindering Chinook recovery?Save Family Farming's Gerald Baron joins Dill…
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The latest Census of Agriculture data is out from the USDA, and Tom Vilsack, US Secretary of Agriculture, is calling it a "wakeup call." Pam Lewison, Center for Agriculture Director at the Washington Policy Center, says in many ways, the situation is even worse in Washington state than it is nationally, and joins Dillon with details.…
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Saying it's not possible to survive financially the high cost of labor to harvest their fruit, another family farm is calling it quits. April Clayton, of Red Apple Orchard in Orondo, WA joins Dillon to explain why she and her husband decided to shut down the farm this year, and what might become of their beautiful orchards.…
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The state of Washington's broken promise to Whatcom County farmers and now a sprawling lawsuit on water in the Nooksack River Basin is pushing already-struggling farms to shut down. Dillon shares audio clips from "Losing The Farm," a new, locally-produced documentary sharing the story of Cascade Farms, whose owners were forced to close less than a …
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Deep emotion and harsh realities of farm life are on full display in a brand new documentary giving viewers an inside look at a local potato farm that chose to close in the face of daunting odds for survival.Jeff and Diana Bedlington talk with Dillon about "Losing The Farm," which shares the story of their third-generation Lynden-area seed potato f…
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Farmworkers are losing money as a result of Washington's new agricultural overtime law, and they're not happy about the change that was originally promoted as a benefit to them.Erik Zavala is a former farmworker who's now director of field staff for a tree fruit growers' cooperative in Eastern Washington, and he joins Dillon with more on what worke…
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Washington state Senator Rebecca Saldaña walked out of a hearing on a bill that would provide relief for farmworkers earning less money as a result of Washington's new ag overtime restrictions.Maia Espinoza, Director of the Center for Latino Leadership, joins Dillon and says Saldaña's exit happened as farmworkers in favor of a bill to allow overtim…
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Growing pears near Cashmere, WA, orchardist Alex Lanuza is a first-generation Latino farmer and former farmworker. He joins Dillon to explain how the state's new overtime restrictions for farmworkers are forcing the closure of family farms, and ultimately resulting in the urban development of productive farmland.…
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Redundant reporting rules for farms employing guest workers, as well as a proposal to ease the burden of Washington state's new ag overtime restrictions on farmworkers were both up for public hearings in Olympia (segment aired 1/27/24). Scott Dilley with wafla joins Dillon to discuss the details and what may or may not happen in the hearings, as we…
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Farmworkers making less money as a result of Washington state's new agricultural overtime law are unhappy, and gathered by the hundreds at the state Capitol in Olympia Jan. 25. Just two days after the event, Dillon explains what happened, and what farmworkers are saying about the new law (Episode aired 1/27/24).…
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A new UC Berkeley study is showing how new overtime laws for farm work in California is leading to significantly fewer hours for each worker, and thus less take-home pay.Researcher Ali Hill joins Dillon to break down the data she's been uncovering about the counterinuitive real-world impacts of a law similar to new legislation here in Washington st…
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Japanese Beetles can be a threat to crops here in Washington State, but leaders are optimistic it can be eradicated.Cassie Cichorz with the Washington State Department of Agriculture joins Dillon to explain why they're going to battle against the invasive species now that it's become a problem in the lower Yakima Valley.…
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Small farms and rural businesses in Washington that rely on wells could be forced to get special permit under a state Department of Health proposal.Jay Gordon, southwest WA farmer and Policy Director for the Washington State Dairy Federation, joins Dillon with details on the proposed regulation and the possible ulterior motives behind it.…
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With the minimum wage for guest workers on farms in WA going up to $19.25/hr. this year, many family farms are fighting to stay afloat. Michael Marsh, CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, joins Dillon to explain how the Federal government's flawed methodology is driving the skyrocketing minimum wage, how that wage is driving unsus…
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After several members of Congress leaked an agreement on the future of the Lower Snake River Dams that the Biden administration negotiated in secret to exclude farmers and others, many are voicing condemnation of the deal. Karen Budd-Falen, former US Department of the Interior Deputy Solicitor, who has followed activists' longtime campaign to force…
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Extreme labor activists are falsely claiming that the farming community is going back on its word in a legislative agreement on overtime for farm work. Pam Lewison, Director of the Center for Agriculture at the Washington Policy Center, tells Dillon the activists' narrative doesn't align with what actually happened in 2021 when a deal was forged to…
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Despite several science studies casting major doubt on their claims that it would save endangered salmon, activists continue to push for the removal of the dams on the lower Snake River in a move that would devastate agriculture, electricity rate payers and many others. Todd Myers, Director of the Center for the Environment at the Washington Policy…
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Local residents packed a meeting this past week featuring experts outlining how they can protect their water access, as a state lawsuit on water rights in Whatcom County is expected to begin this coming spring.Fred Likkel, Whatcom Family Farmers' Executive Director, joins Dillon to talk about some of the biggest questions and concerns people have a…
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Fixing problems with Washington state's new farming overtime laws, as well as the state's failure to follow state law exempting farming from new fuel surcharges, are among the top issues Republicans in the State Senate want to tackle in the coming legislative session. Their agriculture agenda, dubbed "Cultivate Washington," was the focus of a press…
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Many farmers and landowners are asking where to start preparing to protect their water access as the State of Washington prepares to file a massive lawsuit requiring them to prove their rights.Water law expert Bill Clarke joins Dillon with details on how and why to attend Whatcom Family Farmers' educational event on Nov. 8 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at …
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Despite underwhelming 2023 yields for berry crops in Whatcom County, farmers are enjoying healthy corn and potato production with advantageous weather for harvest. Clay Pehl, CHS Northwest Agronomist, joins Dillon to share what he's hearing from farmers in the field so far this fall.De către Save Family Farming
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Farm workers all over Washington are voicing frustration with the state's new agricultural overtime law, and 500 workers recently gathered in Quincy, WA to hear from leaders including state Rep. Alex Ybarra about how to have their voice heard in Olympia. Ybarra joins host Dillon Honcoop with details on the event, and how agricultural overtime is hu…
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As the water rights showdown between Vancouver, WA area BiZi Farms and the Washington State Department of Ecology continues to escalate, Whatcom County farmers should pay attention to the legal and practical problems it raises. Washington water law expert and attorney Bill Clarke joins Dillon to explain how state law actually encourages the develop…
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Calling it bizarre, former Whatcom County councilman Rud Browne says he believes the USDA Farm Service Agency's recent decision to cancel a swath of contracts with local landowners to compensate for salmon habitat projects isn't legal. He joins Dillon to explain why he's been involved in the now-embattled Conservation Reserve Enhancement (CREP) Pro…
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Area residents had the chance to see local food and farming up close and personal at the annual Whatcom Farm Tour. Dillon talked with organizer Jess Meyer with Bellingham-based Sustainable Connections and Eat Local First about the details for this year's tour, and then checked in with a new farmer on the lineup--Marie Hegarty of Fair Cow's Path Far…
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Concern about the upcoming state water rights court case in Whatcom County continues to build among local residents. Dillon talks with Henry Bierlink, administrator of the Ag Water Board of Whatcom County, about the event that packed Ferndale's Pioneer Pavilion Community Center with local residents anxious about the future of their water rights, an…
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Farmers in Whatcom County are incensed after the federal Farm Service Agency announced it would be cancelling roughly half of the Conservation Reserve Easement Program contracts it had made with local landowners. Steve Groen, who farmed west of Lynden for decades, joins Dillon to talk about how the decision impacts him, and how he feels the feds ha…
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Ferndale-area dairy farmer Rod Erickson faced an emergency situation this summer as the water association he relies on to water his cows had its well run dry. Dillon talks with Rod and Kevin Mayock, Bakerview Water Association Treasurer, to find out how they've worked to survive the situation, and why the state has, so far, not given any support to…
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Farm Service Agency authorities have abruptly put hundreds of existing local stream restoration projects in jeopardy, pulling federal support last week due to a bureaucratic error two decades ago. Fred Likkel, Whatcom Family Farmers' Executive Director, talks with Dillon about what he's uncovered so far on this developing story and how it will impa…
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Farmers and state regulators are pushing back against an EPA proposal that would severely restrict pesticide use, which federal regulators say is necessary to protect a list of endangered species. Capital Press reporter Don Jenkins joins Dillon with the details, as well as reaction from the Washington State Department of Agriculture and other state…
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Despite much attention given to specific struggling salmon runs, many others are producing huge numbers. Washington state-based fisherman Paul Burrill tells Dillon there's more to the story of salmon health and abundance, and it's having a devastating impact on the Pacific Northwest fishing community.…
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Dry weather and water use restrictions have hurt crops in Skagit County and elsewhere across Washington state. Skagit dairy farmer Jason Vander Kooy joins Dillon with details on the drought's impact, and how the state's tardy declaration of a drought emergency affects crop losses.De către Save Family Farming
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Longtime Whatcom County berry grower and retired agricultural educator Ladd Shumway joins Dillon to talk about the variety of fruit his farm has available to the public, and explains how his "no spray" approach works, in this mid-harvest update from his farm, Shumway's Berries.De către Save Family Farming
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A deep dive into the state’s data – or lack thereof – on Washington state's farming labor crisis left host Dillon Honcoop with more questions than answers. He explains why he's concerned that state officials are ignoring what's arguably one of the biggest threats to the future of farming in Washington.…
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The already-costly federal H-2A guest worker program is getting even more expensive for farmers, thanks to huge new fees the feds are charging for each worker visa to help pay for the crisis at the US southern border. Enrique Gastelum, former farm worker and current CEO of farm labor non-profit wafla, joins Dillon to explain what the federal govern…
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Polluted water coming from BC is fouling Whatcom County's Nooksack River Basin, and local farmers are sounding the alarm. Fred Likkel, Whatcom Family Farmers' Executive Director, joins Dillon with details on the pollution, and how changes north of the border likely led to the ongoing problem.De către Save Family Farming
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Dairy farms and creameries around Whatcom County hosted visitors from far and wide Saturday, June 10th for the 2nd Annual "Whatcom This Whey & Choose Your Own Adventure" event put on by the Dairy Farmers of Washington. Just ahead of the event's 10am start, Dillon checked in with Marlies Gill, manager of the Appel Farms Cheese Shop, one of the stops…
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Get an in-person look at Whatcom County dairy farms, creameries and cheesemaking on Saturday, June 10th, 2023 with the "Whatcom This Whey & Choose Your Own Adventure" event! Dillon talks with cheese artisan Daniel Wavrin about the tour and his work at Ferndale Farmstead, where he uses milk from his family's dairy to make award-winning cheeses.…
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Just in time for Lynden's Farmers' Day Parade, the Lynden Heritage Museum is hosting a free grand opening for a brand-new exhibit showcasing John Deere tractors, the longtime local John Deere dealer, and farming's importance to local history. Amanda May, the museum's director, joins Dillon with details on the new exhibit, the free-to-the-public lau…
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Even though the first several weeks of spring in the Pacific Northwest were exceptionally cool, Mark Van Mersbergen, Lynden-area red raspberry and blueberry grower and Washington Red Raspberry Commission President, says the recent warm days helped get the growing season back on track. Mark joins Dillon to explain the process he's been going through…
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Competing directly with produce imported from Mexico and other countries, Wapato-area farmer Manuel Imperial of Imperial's Garden survives on incredibly tight margins to be able to sell his fruits and vegetables to grocery buyers. As he shares with Dillon, increasing labor pressures here in Washington are pushing farmers like him to the brink. He s…
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It's the biggest of its kind north of Bellingham, and the Lynden Farmers Market continues to grow, year after year since its beginning 12 years ago. Dakota Stranik, Lynden Farmers Market Board President, joins Dillon with details on the market's history as well as plans for the 2023 season ahead.De către Save Family Farming
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Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, a few Washington state farm labor activists continue to claim there's no shortage of farm workers here. Enrique Gastelum grew up in a farm worker family, and now runs a non-profit helping the farming community deal with the worsening farm labor crisis in Washington. He joins Dillon to explain the exten…
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"Will the Last Family Farmer Leaving Washington Please Turn Out the Barn Lights?" was the headline on a recent Save Family Farming piece in the Seattle Times, borrowing from a phrase that goes back 50 years in Washington state. Gerald Baron, Save Family Farming founding director, and Fred Likkel, Whatcom Family Farmers' director, join Dillon to exp…
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