2026 begins with continuing hopes that specialty crops will see some kind of ag labor reforms and be included in future ag assistance programs.

Recognized as the Washington State Tree Fruit Association's 2025 Legislator o the Year, 13th District Representative, Tom Dent tries to bring awareness about the mental health challenges and suicides that plague the agricultural industry.

Alan Schreiber, Executive Director of the Washington Blueberry Commission, says when you break that down to fresh and processed, conventional and organic, we could still use more.

Pushing for policies that recognize the unique challenges of farming in Washington state is nothing new, but there have recently been talks about the possibility of a State Farm Bill to help address the unique challenges farmers in our state face.

Most farmers want to farm, not cultivate the internet. But one tech advisor says in 2026 a web presence is a necessity.

In 2025, 300-plus college students received over $1 million in scholarships this year from the Washington Apple Education Foundation, something Executive Director, Jennifer Witherbee says they’ve been doing now for a long time.

The cry for H-2A reform can be heard all around agriculture, and while some challenges are being addressed, WAFLA CEO, Enrique Gastelum says one of the biggest challenges is the housing required for farm workers.

Lately, it appears Congress has been recognizing the many challenges farmers and ranchers are facing these days, and U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse says that isn't happening by chance.

Another year has come and gone without farm labor reforms.

Jon DeVaney, President of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, says we may have made some headway with conversations in Olympia helping lawmakers understand the current challenges farmers are facing.