This week, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), member of the House Agriculture Committee, hosted a listening session to hear the needs and concerns of Thurston and Lewis County’s farmers, producers, agricultural leaders, and rural residents.

The listening session comes as Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez and the House Agriculture Committee begin to craft the 2023 Farm Bill – a legislative package that reauthorizes agricultural and food programs. The 2018 Farm Bill will expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2023.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez will host additional Farm Bill listening sessions across Southwest Washington in the coming months.

“I’m committed to making the voices of Southwest Washington heard in the upcoming Farm Bill, and I’m thankful to everyone who came out to ask questions and share their thoughts about how I can best fight for Lewis and Thurston County’s agricultural and rural communities in this bill and beyond,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “These leaders feed and fuel Southwest Washington and the entire country, and I look forward to continuing our partnership in the months and years to come.”

During the listening session, the group discussed issues including leveling the playing field for local producers in the marketplace, preserving family farms, expanding rural broadband, and more.

Attendees included representatives from the Lewis County Broadband Action Team, Lewis County PUD, Lewis County Government, Pinchot Partners, Northwest Agriculture Business Center, Lewis County Farm Bureau, American Forest Resource Council, Organic Valley Dairy Farm, Port of Chehalis, Southwest Washington Food Hub, and Owen McFarland Family Farm.