Like many farmers across the country, farmers in Washington state experienced negative returns the past few years, and labor alone accounted for 108 percent of their total gross revenue. Many feel it’s crucial that lawmakers understand that.
U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse, a farmer himself, says things have got to change.
“The numbers you were just talking about, 108 percent of your costs are labor, and that’s just unsustainable. We just cannot continue in that way.”
But Newhouse says things like this are never easy.
“You know, it’s tough to get stuff through Congress. It’s really difficult, it takes time, and we have to educate people who have no idea about the agricultural industry as to why we have to do some of these things.”
So, Newhouse says that whatever you do, don’t let up on them.
“I just kind of want to plead to your listeners to keep the pressure up. Make sure they continue to communicate with their members of Congress, so we can keep the momentum going and work towards a solution here.”
And, Newhouse says he won’t quit either.
“Yeah, I’m going to keep working as hard as I can. I’ve got this responsibility and this honor in front of me for almost a year, and I’m going to take every opportunity I can to move our agenda forward and help improve people’s lives in Central Washington and throughout the state. So, yeah, I’m not done yet.”