Glenn Vaagen

1 week ago | pnwag.net | Glenn Vaagen

“This bill is kind of a marker, it starts the discussion and I'm hoping that we can make some needed updates to it before final passage,” said Representative Dan Newhouse, after he and California’s Zoe Lofgren reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act on Wednesday. He said  reintroducing the Farm Workforce Modernization Act sends a clear message to producers nationwide that lawmakers are working to find solutions that ease the burdens brought on by the current ag labor situation.

1 week ago | pnwag.net | Glenn Vaagen

The Washington State Wine Commission will host a WAVEx Wednesday May 14th focused on tannins in wine. Melissa Hansen has a preview of the upcoming event.    If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail [email protected]

1 week ago | pnwag.net | Glenn Vaagen

Congratulations to the University of Idaho, as the kids from Moscow prove they know their dirt. The U of I placed first overall during the 2025 National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest.  The event which took place April 27th-May 2nd back in Stevens Point, WI, included 27 teams from across the country.  And the U of I was the only team with multiple students placing among the top 10 individuals out of 198 participants.

1 week ago | pnwag.net | Glenn Vaagen

On Thursday, Idaho senator Mike Crapo and Oregon’s Jeff Merkley announced the introduction of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) Program Reauthorization Act of 2025.  They say this bipartisan legislation would reauthorize and expand the CFLR program, which helps fund collaborative and community-based forest management. The lawmakers said the CFLR program has a proven track record of improving forest health, reducing wildfire risk, and supporting rural communities.

1 week ago | pnwag.net | Glenn Vaagen

Agriculture is on the brink in Oregon.  That according to Oregon Farm Bureau President Angi Bailey who said producers across the state are struggling with, among other things, profitability.  She noted the challenge starts before the season begins, with the cost of seeds up 80%. “80% that's staggering to me. You know, Oregon has high labor costs. Oregon labor costs are about 70% higher than the national average," Bailey said. "And so I think generally across the board, agriculture is struggling.