Video & Transcript : 'deer farm' :
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Sep 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So we have a trend where we're losing farms, and it isn't all one size or scale of farms.
- farms.
- by 10% of the farms, and about 90% of the farms produce about 10% of that economic value.
- And as they indicated, the number of farms has dropped. The number of farms is dropping.
- And this, again, it's not just big farms; it's small farms.
Summary:
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held an interim work session focused on Washington agriculture’s viability, workforce, and competitiveness. Director Derek Sanderson of the Washington State Department of Agriculture and WSU Dean Raj Kosla described the size and diversity of the state’s farm sector, declining farm numbers, major export markets, and pressures from labor costs, low commodity prices, trade barriers, drought, regulatory burdens, and pests and disease. Kosla emphasized WSU’s land-grant role in education, research, and extension, including precision agriculture, broadband needs in rural areas, and the need for state support to help producers adopt new technologies and train the next generation of agricultural workers.
Members asked about retaining farmland, increasing workforce capacity, and the role of precision agriculture. Kosla said precision agriculture can help address labor shortages and water scarcity, but adoption is limited by cost and rural broadband gaps. He explained precision agriculture as tailoring inputs to the right place, time, amount, and manner, and said WSU is working on low-cost sensor technologies and other innovations. Members also asked about how widely precision agriculture is used and whether it improves farm bottom lines; Kosla said adoption varies by tool and that he would follow up with more data.
The committee then heard from Dr. Randy Fortenberry of WSU’s Impact Center on an agricultural competitiveness study and the effects of tariffs and trade. He reported that Washington’s competitiveness has generally declined relative to peer states in dairy, grapes, hops, apples, and wheat, with potatoes as the main bright spot. Surveyed producers said a substantial share of revenue is tied to regulatory compliance, with labor-related costs a major driver, and small diversified farms reported land access, capital, and profitability as bigger barriers than regulation. On trade, Fortenberry said Washington agriculture is highly export-dependent and vulnerable to retaliation, citing past losses in wheat, apples, pulses, and cherries when tariffs disrupted markets, while noting current uncertainty around China and India. The committee asked follow-up questions about compliance time, peer-state comparisons, and regulatory burdens; no votes were taken, and the department said it plans an interim report by the end of the year and a final report by June 2026.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- And I plan to attend Montana State University and study agribusiness, farm and ranch management, and
- Did you grow up on a farm? Obviously, you're involved in farming. What do you guys farm out there?
- from our farm and from our booth at local farmers' markets.
- I first want to express my appreciation to the Farm Bureau.
- As a consumer, I can go visit my neighbor's farm, see farm products, ask him about the heritage of the
Committee:
Senate Agricultural Affairs
Summary:
The Senate Agricultural Committee opened by welcoming a new page, Isabella Frasheiser of Weiser High School, who described her FFA, school leadership, and agricultural background. The committee then approved the February 10, 2026 minutes without objection.
The main item was Senate Bill 1283, presented by Senator Todd Lakey. The bill would create a framework for small-scale direct-to-consumer agricultural and homemade food sales, including cottage foods, farm stands, cooperative markets, and certain meat sales, with labeling, recordkeeping, and educational-material requirements. Supporters from Farm Bureau, Fair Idaho, and producers argued it would reduce burdens, expand local food access, help small farms, and improve market opportunities. Food Northwest and health district representatives raised concerns about food safety, labeling, lack of competency testing, limited remediation options, and possible liability changes. After discussion, the committee voted to send SB 1283 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee then received an Idaho Beef Council update from J.W. Wood and Jody Mink. They described the council’s checkoff-funded promotion, education, research, consumer outreach, BQA training, Spanish-language materials, a national “Prime Rib and Prom” campaign, and the Idaho Beef Counts food assistance program. No formal action was taken on that presentation, and the committee adjourned after concluding its agenda.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- To fully remediate the current game farm site.
- The main problem is the location of the farm.
- The game farm serves a good purpose.
- The game farm is about 230 acres.
- When we built the game farm—I'm sorry, when the state built the game farm back in, I think, the 1950s—it
Committee:
House Capital Budget
Keywords:
HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, veterans memorial, capitol grounds, state memorial, Secretary of State, Capitol Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Whereas my wife grew up on a farm in Caldwell that they've been farming there for 100 years to grow onions
- It makes it harder for you to farm.
- Maybe it's a farm-to-table restaurant. And we see ourselves tied in with that.
- And maybe it's not vineyard, but maybe it's a you-pick flower farm.
- is, which is family farms working together.
Committee:
House Agricultural Affairs
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from Tuesday, February 24, 2026, by motion and voice vote, with no opposition. Members then heard an annual update from the Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission and the Idaho Wine Commission on the state’s wine industry.
Presenters described the history and growth of Idaho wine, noting the first grapes planted in Lewiston in 1864, the industry’s decline during prohibition, and its revival beginning in the 1970s. They said Idaho now has about 1,300 to 1,400 acres of wine grapes, 65-plus wineries and cideries, and three federally designated AVAs. The commissions emphasized marketing, education, and grant-funded outreach, including seminars, social media promotion, and a recent grant for an Idaho-made wine campaign. They also highlighted industry growth in economic impact and jobs, and said many wineries are women-owned.
Key challenges discussed were land-use restrictions, water supply, and labor. Roger Batt said some county zoning rules, especially in Ada County, make it difficult to plant, expand, or establish wineries without neighborhood approval, and he suggested legislation may be drafted for a future session. James Netteran explained that wine grapes are a high-value but labor-intensive crop, requiring significant hand work and upfront investment, while also using relatively little water. He also described agritourism and farm diversification as important parts of the industry’s business model.
Members asked questions about industry growth, women-owned wineries, and tasting room traffic. Netteran explained that economic growth has outpaced tonnage because the industry has shifted from one dominant producer to many smaller family operations, and he said weekend visitation at his winery can range from about 100 to 500 people. The meeting concluded with thanks and adjournment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Impact of ICE Activity on Agriculture and Rural Communities - 01/14/26
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> which is a grassroots general farm which is a grassroots general farm organization<00:05:02.080>
- We still do not have a farm bill, but I saw its budget more than triple.
- Farms and food processing of raids.
- So, we're talking grocery just uh farms.
- physical farms comes from undocumented<00:14:38.320><c> immigrants.
Summary:
State legislators and farm leaders held an impromptu discussion focused on the impact of federal immigration enforcement activity, especially ICE presence in Minnesota, on agriculture and rural communities. Speakers argued that agriculture is central to the state’s economy and said fear of raids is causing legal immigrant and guest workers, including H-2A workers, to stay home, disrupting farms, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, and other parts of the food supply chain. They also linked the issue to broader federal uncertainty, including USDA funding freezes and cuts, and said the lack of transparency from federal agencies is making it difficult for state officials and producers to plan.
Senator Rob Kupec and Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish said ICE activity in both the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota is creating fear, trauma, and labor shortages, with reports of workers avoiding work, lunch trips, medical appointments, and school. Wertish said the organization supports comprehensive immigration reform and called for an end to the ICE surge, while also emphasizing the need to respect local law enforcement and the rule of law. Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Andrea Vaubel said immigrants are a critical part of Minnesota’s food and agriculture workforce, warned that labor shortages could raise production costs and food prices, and said the state would not have its current food supply without immigrant workers.
In response to questions, speakers said they had anecdotal reports from rural areas such as Pelican Rapids, Willmar, and Detroit Lakes, but that the situation is changing quickly and many incidents may not yet be public. They said the lack of coordination with local law enforcement and the use of masks contribute to fear and confusion. Legislators said they have no direct jurisdiction over ICE operations but see their role as documenting what is happening, communicating with constituents, and avoiding state actions that would worsen the problem. They also said the issue is not purely partisan and may be mobilizing concern across political lines, especially among farmers worried about labor availability for planting and other seasonal work.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Did you grow up on a farm? Obviously, you're involved in farming. What do you guys farm out there?
- from our farm and from our booth at local farmers' markets.
- But that's not unique to our farm; it's what any small direct-to-consumer producer would do.
- I first want to express my appreciation to the Farm Bureau.
- As a consumer, I can go visit my neighbor's farm, see farm products, ask him about the heritage of the
Committee:
Senate Agricultural Affairs
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Feb 18th, 2026
Finance and Taxation Education
Transcript Highlights:
- On nurseries. >> Would it include like dairy farms? >> Yes. >> If we had them.
- On nurseries. >> Would it include like dairy farms? >> Yes. >> If we had them.
- On nurseries. >> Would it include like dairy farms? >> Yes. >> If we had them.
- On nurseries. >> Would it include like dairy farms? >> Yes. >> If we had them.
- </c> And I don't I'm not spying catfish farms And I don't I'm not spying catfish farms in<00:14:24.160
Committee:
Senate Finance and Taxation Education
Keywords:
sales tax exemption, use tax exemption, diapers, baby supplies, baby formula, baby bottles, baby wipes, breast pump, breast milk pumping equipment, lactation, nursing bra, nursing pads, maternity wear, pregnancy clothing, postpartum clothing, menstrual products, tampons, sanitary napkins, panty liners, menstrual cups
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Agriculture and Water Management Committee Jun 17th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Agriculture and Water Management Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- It sort of leads into the next slide that talks about the net farm back to the farm.
- We leverage Grand Farm and Farm... ...test spaces. We leverage other test spaces.
- We leverage Grand Farm if our researchers need to test at Grand Farm.
- We leverage, you know, Grand Farm and Farm. test spaces. We leverage other test spaces.
- We leverage, you know, Grand Farm if our researchers need to test out a grand farm.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I understand the farm economy pretty well, and I think we could all agree that farm economy is difficult
- </c> uh Farm economy is difficult farming uh Farm economy is difficult farming itself<00:01:49.240><c
- 25 farms in the state.
- </c> brothers that farm in a in a family farm brothers that farm in a in a family farm Corporation<00
- </c><00:25:26.120><c> small</c><00:25:26.520><c> farm</c> and a fifth generation Farm small farm and
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Education Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2008, our state created a farm-to-school law.
- We have had something called the Freedom Farm Program.
- We have had something called the Freedom Farm Program.
- I speak more today on the impact that it has on the farming community.
- Grub's on the west side of town, Freedom Farm on the east side of town.
Summary:
The House Education Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2142 would replace statutory references to “alternative learning experience” with “remote and hybrid learning.” Committee staff and the prime sponsor said the change is intended to reduce stigma and more accurately describe programs that may be online, hybrid, or site-based. Several members raised concerns that the terminology could unintentionally affect fully in-person programs; the sponsor and a retired principal testified that the bill is meant as a name change and would not materially alter current programs. The bill drew 52 pro, 4 con, and 0 other sign-ins.
House Bill 2369 would create a Washington Local Food for Schools program in OSPI to help schools procure and distribute Washington-grown foods through existing USDA food distribution systems. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce logistical barriers for farmers and districts, support local agriculture, and improve the quality and appeal of school meals. Testimony came from school nutrition advocates, farmers, a school superintendent, students, and OSPI, with broad support and discussion of how the program would work through catalogs, ordering windows, and existing warehouses. The bill drew 455 pro, 64 con, and 1 other sign-in.
House Bill 2432 would allow school districts and ESDs to sell or grant surplus technology hardware, such as laptops and tablets, directly to public school students and recent graduates at depreciated value, with priority for students with greater need. The sponsor said the goal is to help students transition to work, college, and other postsecondary opportunities. Committee members asked about whether the bill should address assistive devices and whether devices could be reserved for future graduating classes; staff noted existing law already covers transfer of assistive devices for students with disabilities. Testimony from district technology and finance staff supported the bill as a practical way to extend the life of devices and benefit students. The bill drew 57 pro, 5 con, and 0 other sign-ins. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced amendment deadlines for several bills scheduled for executive session later in the week and then adjourned the committee.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Local Government Jan 14th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- I farmed for 35 years myself.
- I farmed, like I said, for 35 years.
- They want to say, we're going to have a demonstration farm.
- I want generational farming and that sort of thing.
- Over the past two decades, Washington has lost more than 3,800 farms, including over 150 farms in Whitman
Committee:
House Local Government
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> on the way farms did business. on the way farms did business.
- </c> existing farms. existing farms.
- </c> farming we do in Vermont. farming we do in Vermont.
- </c> not regulate farming. not regulate farming.
- </c> definition of farming. definition of farming.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Nov 18th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Now we're Down to just 20,976 farms and ranches.
- When you look at the loss Of farms nationwide, it is overwhelmingly small and mid-sized farms, and New
- I was taking care of stuff on the farm.
- We are a small farms program as many of our farms in the state are.
- I don't know of very many farms that are that big, and I've been involved in farm I think that's outlier
Committee:
House Water & Natural Resources Committee
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Criminalizing damaging farm machinery and equipment 3/2/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 02:04.280><c> on</c> Minnesota farms are operating on Minnesota farms are operating on razor-thin<00:
- Farms are not vacant land.
- Farms are damaging crops or equipment.
- </c> directly affects and harms farm directly affects and harms farm families. families. families.
- </c> uh intent to damage farm machinery. uh intent to damage farm machinery.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 02/17/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:19:00.600><c> Sur</c> other programs such as the farm Sur other programs such as the farm Sur
- The Department of Health does work with that farm and does offer testing to the farm workers and the
- The Department of Health does work with that farm and does offer testing to the farm workers and the
- The Department of Health does work with that farm and does offer testing to the farm workers and the
- Free PPE to those farms, and so any farm in the state, we have a national stockpile where you can get
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> against um corporate farming. against um corporate farming.
- </c> farms, I think. farms, I think. >> Senator<00:25:18.240><c> Driscowski.
- </c> the assets that are necessary to farm. the assets that are necessary to farm.
- . farming. farming.
- My dad wasn’t able to farm due to there not being enough room for income on the farm.
Committee:
Senate Taxes
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs Mar 30th, 2026
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- So essentially what we have is the solar farms are reaching across generational farms.
- Solar farms also do not catch on fire.
- Mark Figginbaum with Missouri Farm Bureau.
- But for my area, no one's clamoring to build a solar farm.
- We were planning to move back to the family farm.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Next is Brian Yamamoto from Hawaii Farm Bureau. Next is Brian Yamamoto from Hawaii Farm Bureau.
- Farm Bureau will stand on our written Farm Bureau will stand on our written testimony<00:02:20.680><c
- </c> Uh next is Brian Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Uh next is Brian Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau.
- But, you know, as you guys know, farming 1 acre is not like farming 2 acres, is not like farming 5 acres
- ><c> 2</c> farming 1 acre is not like farming 2 farming 1 acre is not like farming 2 acres,<00:14:21.400
Committee:
Senate Agriculture and Environment
Summary:
The committee heard gubernatorial nominations for the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. For GM 615, Matthew Liam was nominated to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, CGAPS, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in strong support, citing his landscape industry leadership, pesticide training background, and prior service. Members asked about his experience in Australia and his approach to restricted-use pesticides; he said he avoided using restricted-use pesticides in his landscaping business but applied related safety and recordkeeping practices. Testimony was unanimous in support, with no opposition or comments.
For GM 616, N. Young was nominated to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Support testimony from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council highlighted his experience with Lanai agriculture, Sensei, the Food Basket, Pacific Gateway Center, Kamehameha Schools, and institutional purchasing. In response to questions, he discussed balancing public and private funding, the need for adequate capitalization of agricultural projects, and using financial tools to help farmers and accelerate agricultural income streams. He also said the board should focus on making agricultural land productive and strengthening food security. The nomination drew strong support, with no opposition or comments.
For GM 617, Jason Moniz was nominated to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council supported him, emphasizing his decades of veterinary and animal disease control experience, ranching background, and knowledge of biosecurity, leases, and livestock issues. Moniz said his priorities would be preserving agricultural land and water resources, improving biosecurity, supporting farmers and ranchers, and increasing food production in Hawaii. He also said he would be willing to speak up for agriculture and not let the department be sidelined. The nomination received 29 written and oral supports, with no opposition or comments.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications - 01/27/2026
Energy And Telecommunications
Transcript Highlights:
- , the old way of farming, the green way of farming, the environmentally conscious way of farming in New
- So she has a greenhouse farm.
- I wanted to farm.
- My neighbor came to my farm one day. He owns a 100-acre hay farm across the street from me.
- He has a very accomplished horse farm. This land is currently being farmed.
Committee:
Senate Energy And Telecommunications
Summary:
The Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, chaired by Senator Kevin Parker, considered several Public Service Law bills and advanced each one to the Rules Committee after brief discussion and recorded no votes or without-recommendation votes on some measures. The bills included proposals to prohibit utilities from using ratepayer funds for certain activities (1012A), establish minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customers (1327), adjust residential fixed charges (1329), require the Public Service Commission to consider economic impacts when setting rates (1847), require utilities to adopt PSC-authorized equity ratios and returns on equity (1896), create the Rate-Hike Notice Act (5553C), suspend certain utility rate changes while allowing retroactive revenue recovery (5593), allow consideration of non-economic losses in penalty determinations (7165A), change the composition of the Public Service Commission (7328A), and let utilities retain revenues above authorized returns on equity (7693). Members asked questions about who would be affected by the bills, including whether fixed-charge reductions would apply to vacant units or vacation homes and whether economic-impact considerations could affect customers differently depending on where they live; the chair and sponsors generally explained the measures as territory-wide or applicable to all residential customers, with no occupancy or income-based circuit breaker in the text.
The committee then heard testimony from Alexandra Fasulo, introduced as an entrepreneur and farmer in Schuylerville, about her concerns regarding the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) and utility-scale solar development on farmland and grasslands. She argued that solar developers were pressuring landowners, including older and lower-income property owners, into long-term leases, that ORES approves most projects despite local opposition, and that the process lacks transparency, with redacted documents and limited public access to information. She also criticized the siting of solar projects on productive farmland and said decommissioning rules could leave equipment buried in the soil.
Committee members responded that the Legislature has already taken steps to protect high-quality soils, that ORES was created by statute and operates within the Public Service Department, and that DEC and ORES are supposed to work together rather than ORES superseding DEC. Several senators said they were sympathetic to concerns about farmland and community engagement, but also emphasized the need to expand renewable energy and balance that with land preservation. Members suggested that specific complaints about ORES transparency or solar siting could be addressed through future legislation or by inviting ORES and PSC officials back for further discussion.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Capital Budget Feb 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We do know that the game farm has been contributing nitrates.
- This isn't closing the game farm. This is relocating.
- That's a big part of the cost of moving the game farm.
- The main problem is the location of the farm.
- The game farm serves a good purpose.
Summary:
The Capital Budget Committee heard briefings and testimony on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2281 would require state agencies to avoid imposing an undue burden on Indian tribes’ traditional cultural practices at tribal traditional cultural places, and would create a Superior Court cause of action for tribes. The prime sponsor and tribal witnesses said the bill is needed to protect sacred sites and cultural resources, while an industry witness asked for narrower, more predictable language. Some testimony criticized the bill as too expansive and likely to increase litigation. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 2514, which would create a Global War on Terror memorial work group to plan and recommend details for a memorial on the Capitol campus; the sponsor emphasized honoring Washington service members and said private fundraising would be central to the project.
House Bill 2551 would let school districts with very low ending fund balances seek OSPI approval to sell district real property and use the proceeds to restore financial stability, rather than depositing the money into capital or debt service funds. The sponsor and Tacoma School District testified that the bill is a safeguard for districts nearing binding conditions, while members raised concerns about possible impacts on local land use and whether the bill could be misused in urban or rural areas. Substitute House Bill 2668 would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify alternate locations for the Bob O’K Game Farm and request future capital funding to relocate and remediate the site because of nitrate contamination affecting the Centralia area aquifer. Local officials, public health staff, and tribal representatives supported relocation, citing public health risks and the potential cost of inaction, while the sponsor stressed that the bill is about moving, not closing, the game farm.
In executive action, the committee took up House Bill 2470, as amended by a proposed substitute, which would increase state school construction assistance for schools on military bases by adding 15% to the calculated state match percentage. Members discussed the role of federal funding and the need for safe, equitable facilities for military-connected students. The committee approved the substitute bill and reported it out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 15-1, with three excused.