While the Sustainable Farms & Fields Act passed with broad bipartisan support last year…
it still hasn’t been funded.
That means the program is not yet able to put much-needed economic support in farmers’ hands. In addition to working with legislators on this this session, we’ve been working with the Washington Conservation Commission (WSCC), Audubon WA, and the Meridian Institute all year long on some creative ideas – and we’ll have some big announcements about that soon! But right now, we need your help.
The Sustainable Farms & Fields Act included language that authorized private funding to be used in the program, but that requires a procedural proviso in the operating budget that states the WSCC can officially accept private funds into the program and award them as grants to farmers. Rep. Sharon Shewmake continues to be a Sustainable Farms & Fields champion, and she sponsored the necessary proviso in the House operating budget. Now, we just need to make sure the Senate Ways & Means Committee approves it for the final budget.
>>> Please reach out ASAP and let committee members know you want them to include the House proviso for Sustainable Farms & Fields in the reconciled budget.
Speaking of WA climate champions…
WA STRONG sponsor Rep. Debra Lekanoff has been nominated for the 2021 Emily’s List Rising Star Award, named for Gabrielle Giffords! The winner will be chosen with community input, so show Rep. Lekanoff that she has our support by voting here!
Olympic Climate Action 