ByRepresentatives Dent, Blake, Barkis, Boehnke, Caldier, Chambers, Chandler, Corry, DeBolt, Dufault, Dye, Eslick, Gildon, Goehner, Graham, Griffey, Harris, Hoff, Irwin, Jenkin, Klippert, Kraft, Kretz, MacEwen, Maycumber, McCaslin, Mosbrucker, Orcutt, Rude, Schmick, Shea, Smith, Steele, Stokesbary, Sutherland, Van Werven, Vick, Volz, Walsh, Wilcox, Ybarra, Young, Sells, Ryu, Ramel, Dolan, Walen, Shewmake, Thai, and Orwall

WHEREAS, Agriculture is a major part of Washington State economy generating over thirty billion dollars and creating over 164,000 jobs; and

WHEREAS, The United States and Washington are net exporters of food; and Washington State exports 6.7 billion dollars in agricultural products every year; and

WHEREAS, Farmers and ranchers produce the safest, most nutritious and abundant food supply ever known; and

WHEREAS, Washington's climate, soil, and water allow us to produce more food per acre than most anywhere else in the world; and

WHEREAS, Farmers and ranchers produce great yields despite having no control over weather and limited control over crop yields; and

WHEREAS, Farmers and ranchers put in many hours, sunup to sundown, making sure their crops and livestock are tended responsibly, taking time away from family and friends, foregoing vacations; and

WHEREAS, Such sacrifice can take a personal toll on each producer, yet they continue to steward the earth and seek new and sustainable ways to operate and preserve Washington's natural resources to feed consumers; and

WHEREAS, Washington's farm families grow over three hundred different crops in both eastern and western Washington making our agriculture more diverse and more complex than almost any other state; and

WHEREAS, Washington produces and exports high quality Timothy and Alfalfa hay, and livestock including cattle, horses, and swine; and

WHEREAS, Washington is known worldwide for its production of potatoes, apples, hops, and blueberries; and

WHEREAS, Washington is also known for its innovative aquaculture and sustainable timber industry; and

WHEREAS, Our population directly involved in food production has dropped from ninety percent in the 1800's to just two percent today; and

WHEREAS, It is critical our population understand how our country's food supply is produced;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives recognize our agricultural producers for the hard work they have done and the many sacrifices they have made for our communities, our country, and the world.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Washington State House of Representatives feels the need to honor and appreciate our agriculture producers for their efforts to educate the public and improve the future for our agriculture producers of Washington State now and forever.