There's a bizarre new twist in an already-fraught tale of opportunistic labor activist groups trying to leverage the coronavirus pandemic to achieve their longstanding political goals. Pam Lewison, director of Washington Policy Center's Initiative on Agriculture, joins Dillon to explain why the extremist groups that had only weeks ago pushed changes that would leave thousands of temporary farmworkers without housing are now--and we're not joking--demanding ping pong, pool tables, and “the fullest range of television programming available” for those workers.

While labor activist groups claim they're only suing Washington state to protect temporary farmworkers from COVID-19, the fact that the protections they're demanding would actually harm those farmworkers is prompting questions about the real motives behind their lawsuit. Now that they've dropped from their lawsuit the key--and most harmful--demands for temporary farmworker housing, Save Family Farming Executive Director Gerald Baron joins Dillon to expose these extremist groups' troubling track record and real motives for suing the state.

In a court hearing held by phone, a lawyer for labor activists suing Washington state over COVID protections for temporary farm workers did not even mention the housing changes the activist groups had been demanding. Wafla executive director Dan Fazio joins Dillon to explain what this means, and what's next for farms trying to protect workers and bring in the 2020 harvest.

Host Dillon Honcoop exposes the real reasons labor activists are suing the state of Washington over COVID protections for temporary farmworkers, and explains how the activists' efforts will ultimately harm--not help--those workers.

Activists are suing the State of Washington, claiming state government is not doing enough to protect farmworkers from COVID-19. But their action may ultimately harm those same workers they say they're trying to protect, says Dan Fazio, director of Washington-based farm labor organization Wafla. Fazio joins host Dillon Honcoop to explain how the state and farmers are working together to protect workers, and how the groups behind this new lawsuit have some troubling ulterior motives.

A small Whatcom dairy famous for their glass milk bottles had to scramble to adjust as some retailers' caution around COVID-19 called for what may sound like a simple change. Hear the full story from Twin Brook Creamery co-owner Larry Stap as Dillon shares an excerpt from this week's episode of his new Real Food Real People Podcast (https://realfoodrealpeople.org)

Seemingly overnight, Americans are thinking about their food supply again. Gerald Baron, Save Family Farming director, and Fred Likkel, Whatcom Family Farmers director join Dillon to talk about what changes could be happening to the food system here locally, across Washington state, and beyond.

Whatcom Family Farmers Executive Director Fred Likkel joins Dillon to discuss what they've both been hearing from contacts around Whatcom and Skagit counties as well as all over Washingtons state about the turmoil farmers are experiencing due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Both new opportunities and new challenges are ahead for Washington farmers as the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold and reshape our economic, political and social landscape. Washington Ag Network's Glenn Vaagen joins Dillon from the Tri-Cities to talk about what he's hearing from farmers all over the state.

Washington dairy farmers are being told to prepare their workforce for the possibility of a statewide lockdown. Washington State Dairy Federation Executive Director Dan Wood tells Dillon his organization is advising farmers to prepare letters that employees can carry to verify their travel is legally allowed should a "shelter in place" order go into effect in the state. Recent federal memos designate farm employees among "essential critical infrastructure workers," but some farmers have expressed concern that workers may not feel confident traveling to and from farms if the state puts a full lockdown in place. Dillon also talks with Sustainable Connections' Food and Farming Program Director Sara Southerland about her group's efforts to connect small farmers with consumers in the face of COVID-19 restrictions. And Aneka Sweeney with the Whatcom Conservation District checks in with an update about changing plans for the district's upcoming events.