Impacts of COVID-19 on Washington’s farmers and ranchers
Dr. David Kohl, economist from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, believes the effects of the pandemic likely to continue until Spring 2022.
Many farmers have had to scramble to change how they operated their farms and sold their livestock and crops due to the changing market conditions brought on by the pandemic.
Food Supply Chain overview
The US has two relatively distinct supply chains
One that supplies grocery stores (30% of industry), and
One that supplies the food service industry (70% of industry). This sector was most impacted.
The food supply chain has largely remained intact with ongoing shortages of certain items. Farmers whose main markets were food service, restaurants, Las Vegas casinos, cruise ships, etc, were most impacted. These farmers were most helped by the new programs funded by Congress and implemented by USDA. CARES Act funding provided some relief through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program and the Paycheck Protection Program. The Farmers to Families Food Box Program was likely the most important federal program to small and medium sized farms in our state. It provided a critical replacement source for fresh produce grown this year that in the past would have gone to restaurants and food service and provided food boxes to food banks to meet the growing need for food.
The actual farm economy remains depressed nationally, and without the ongoing support from Congress and the administration, farmers, ranchers, rural communities and the businesses they support would be in an even worse financial position.
PPE Mandates
During shutdown, several mandates were put into place that impacted every business sector at a significant cost to employers. The PPE mandate is one that continues to be a struggle to procure and afford.
Farm Bureau was fortunate in that we were able to work out a temporary deal with the Governor’s office that supplied over 50,000 gallons of hand sanitizer and about 700,000 masks to Washington’s farmers and ranchers.
Every indication from LNI shows that they are not willing to consider a lessening of restriction until at least June 2021.
I’m not sure how much the government plans to assist business in the future, but I know we all need to be preparing as best we can for the long haul.
Commissioners
WA Farm Bureau has had the great fortune of developing a working relationship with Commissioners Kevin Overbay and Doug Englund. Both of these gentlemen have gone to great lengths to use their federally acquired COVID funds to assist in the support of local agriculture as well as the general business economy. Through their leadership, they’ve developed a first-class IQ facility for COVID quarantines, as well as allocated funds for PPE, and meal support for the elderly and other vulnerable populations. Our regular communications have included members of Congresswoman Kim Schrier’s office and resulted in federal assistance to growers in both Chelan and Douglas counties. Kudos to these commissioners in their tireless service to their counties.
AG overtime lawsuit
On Nov. 5, the WA State Supreme Court ruled against DeRuyter Dairy stating that the legislature did not have the authority under the WA State Constitution to offer an overtime exemption under the Minimum Wage Act. This decision could likely have an impact on the broader business community as many industries currently have overtime exemptions, i.e. real estate agents, salespeople, railway workers, vessel employees, elected officials, movie producers, and more. If you are employed in one of these industries, this case would be worth following as it continues to move through appeal and possibly the legislature.
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Farm Bureau is a grassroots volunteer advocacy organization representing the social and economic interests of farm and ranch families at the local state and national levels.
Tom Davis is the Director of Government Relations for the Washington Farm Bureau. His lobbying responsibilities include budget, taxes, agriculture, fish and wildlife, and natural resources.
Breanne Elsey is the Associate Director of Government Relations at Washington Farm Bureau and focuses on labor, transportation, carbon and general agriculture policy.
President Kory Kalahar opened the November 12th ZOOM meeting to about 44 members.
Scroll to bottom to view attendance. After the pledge of allegiance to our magnificent American flag, Kory read a letter from senator Maria Cantwell honoring our military veterans (Nov. 11 is Veterans' Day).
Allan Galbreath reported on the Nov 11 project at Wenatchee Foothills for CD Land Trust with Interact Club members to plant native shrubs inside deer enclosures at the future Broadview Trailhead. He thanked several Rotarians (with guests) for showing up to help. They included Rachel, Ricardo, Carin, Ken, Jordan, Mike, and Allan. Another planting is expected in a few weeks. Everyone had fun in spite of the cold. Jessica Kendall expressed her sincere appreciation to all, especially Allan who spearheaded this work party. At right is Jessica's thank-you note from CDLT. To see the full size card, click HERE or on the image.
Special Guest: Ray Dobbs, former member, now in the Chelan Rotary, has recently relocated to East Wenatchee. Linda Parlette happily offered to sponsor him.
Chelan Club need. - widow with amazing things - possible auction. Mary Horne - in need of a storage place for the meantime to sort the goods and auction for a couple of months. Could be a barn or the like - dry and clean-ish! Contact Kory HERE.
Fellowship. Another fun fellowship opportunity has been made possible by the amazing Wenatchee Valley Museum - Made in Wenatchee Chocolate Tasting by Yeti; Nov. 19, 7-8PM. $30.
Chamber awards. Who should be the Wenatchee business or non-profit of the year?
VOTE HERE in the Chamber of Commerce survey, deadline November 16!
Cards for Chelsea. Kory repeated Chelsea's request for volunteers to help write the cards of encouragement which go into the sack packs. Several members volunteered. Contact Kory HERE if you wish to help....
Chelsea says - "One way your group could make a collective impact is to write cards of encouragement. We will randomly put at least one card into each sackpack with inspiring messages, personal stories that relate to teenage struggles (all of kinds), “don’t give up,” holiday wishes, etc. Whether on card stock, holiday cards or lined paper in a standard envelope is at the discretion of whoever is writing each card. The only guidelines are that no effort to directly contact teens be made through the correspondence. One person can do multiple cards, invite their family members of all ages to participate also, have a card-writing party with a group, etc. These cards are a very important part of Stuff-a-Sackpack & I will accept as many as you can collect, if you are interested. I would like to have all cards by December 1st. If this is something that you or others would like to participate in, please let me know or email me with questions at any time. "
Cougar Gold Cheese. Repeating. To order your Cougar Gold Cheese or have questions, contact either: Garry Sparks Wenatchee Rotarian – 679-5653 – floorsgs@aol.com; or Janice Lawell, wenatchee Central Lions – 663-6204 – jlawell49@gmail.com Price - $30.
Leavenworth Rotary Auction. It's the "give thanks" auction online; go HERE! Bidding begins at noon, Nov. 14. They have some amazing items.
Pybus Bistro special. Repeating. Chicken on the Run promo video on Confluence's Facebook page: On November 18th you can order the chicken dinner at Pybus Bistro and have it delivered to your car by a Rotarian. Confluence fund raiser! $36. Pybus Bistro is doing the cooking and Confluence Rotarians will be delivering your food to you curbside. The meal will include fried chicken, Pybus Bistro's delicious gruyere mac & cheese, plus roasted vegetables, a dinner salad, and fruit crisp for dessert! Plus you can order beer, wine and/or cocktails for pickup as well. Reserve your order today! Order online at pybusbistro.com.
Would you rather?
Would you rather have unlimited international first-class tickets (use your hands to fly) or Would you rather never have to pay for food at restaurants (shower the money)?
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KORY'S STUPID STUFF
When we go camping, we like to live off the land and that includes our campfires. My friend, Pat helps me get into most of the stupid predicaments that I have shared with you. Here is a picture of how we obtain our push logs for the fire pit. We usually find one that is large and in charge, use a tow strap to hook it up to the vans and go from there. Often, the bigger the log, the better.
Ten (or more) things we didn't know about FORD BARRETT .
November 12 - 
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