Robyn Meenach, a Spokane County wheat grower and vice president of the Washington Farm Bureau, noted that there are several bills still being debated in the Legislature that could provide some economic relief to hard-pressed farmers. She also urged Gov. Locke and the state Department of Ecology to take every possible step to ensure that farmers and ranchers have water this summer, including the use of emergency wells. The situation remains serious for hundreds of farmers and ranchers, and it needs serious attention from the Legislature, the governor, and the people of Washington state. Washington Farm Bureau is a 22,000-member nonprofit organization representing family farmers and ranchers. Farmers plan Seattle rally for April 17 Farmers and ranchers are planning a rally Tuesday, April 17, at Pier 62-63 on the Seattle waterfront to stress how the water shortage facing irrigated agriculture in Central Washington will affect the state's economy.
Agriculture is the leading employer in Washington.
The rally is being organized by the Wenatchee Tractor Coalition, which recently sponsored a similar parade and rally in Wenatchee. It will begin at 11 a.m. The Department of Ecology even admits that the savings in water use could not even be measured. The irrigation season is here and we need action now to prevent an utter economic catastrophe. If the governor gets pressure from his largest constituency base, he'll do what's right.