From the Ag Information Network, Bob Larson reports that family farmers in Washington State – like Whatcom County seed potato grower Scott Bedlington – are expressing concern over the perceived overreach of government regulations and a lack of outreach to the farming community.
Many farmers feel that recent legislation has been drafted without adequate input from those directly affected by it. For small, family-owned farms, the increasing regulations and rising costs are making it challenging to continue operations.
Bedlington explains that the current atmosphere seems to favor corporate farms over family farms, despite the fact that family farms still make up the majority of agricultural operations. He insists that farmers are not breaking any laws and are doing their best to follow all regulations. They use government-approved chemicals and irrigate using water rights.
However, if the proposed Buffer bill becomes mandatory, it could have a significant impact on family farms like Bedlington’s. The bill would require buffer zones around waterways or streams, potentially taking away a substantial portion of usable farmland. For Bedlington, this could mean losing a third of his land.
With additional regulations looming, family farms in Washington state may face an uncertain future. Stay tuned in to Ag Information Network for more on this story and the potential consequences for family-owned agricultural operations.
Source: Ag Information Network. Go here to listen to an audio version of this story
Photo: Wikimedia Commons. Credit Richard Webb
