Gluesenkamp Perez Talks With Dairy Farmers and Grays River Advocates During District Work Swing 

GRAYS RIVER, WA –  Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) recently met with a range of small businesses and farmers and as she continued discussing ways that she can work in Congress to help residents of the 3rd Congressional District.

The Congresswoman met with dairy farmers and with a community group working in Grays Community Forest. The visits are part of her larger effort to continuously engage and assist her constituents.

“Dairy farming takes profound intelligence, foresight and luck and I’m so proud to have spent time with the only two remaining dairy farms in Wahkiakum County. We’re proud and grateful for the determination and perpetuation of values and skills inherent in dairy farming,” said Gluesenkamp Perez.

Gluesenkamp Perez has worked to sponsor legislation to help small meat and poultry processors by improving options for them, and creating workforce opportunities. She also introduced the Freedom for Agricultural Repair and Maintenance (FARM) Act, which is intended to empower farmers and others to be able to make repairs on costly equipment rather than be forced to buy new things.

The Congresswoman toured potential sites for the Upper Grays River Community Forest. While there, she met with Wahkiakum County Commissioner Dan Cothren, Pacific County Commissioner Lisa Olsen, and community leaders who want to keep our woods open and in local ownership. Foreign royalty companies continue to buy up timberland across Wahkiakum and Pacific Counties, cutting off longtime access for locals. The Upper Grays Community Forest is a way to bring back local agency. 

“There are gates going up to prevent people from being able to access forests that they’ve hunted in for generations. I’m proud of this group that is working to perpetuate these lands,” Gluesenkamp Perez said.

Recently, the Congresswoman secured $500,000 for the Upper Grays River Community Forest. And her work on this issue has included broader efforts to support timber communities and active forest management through legislation and advocacy.

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