ag in washington 2009

AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE IN IN WASHINGTON WASHINGTON

CelebrateCelebrate

: AG THE ECONOMIC: AG THE ECONOMICPOWERHOUSEPOWERHOUSE

13% of Washington’s economy13% of Washington’s economy–$8.32 billion of farmgate value$8.32 billion of farmgate value–$42 billion total combined food and agriculture $42 billion total combined food and agriculture

industryindustry

Washington’s # 1 EmployerWashington’s # 1 Employer–More than 160,000 people in every corner of More than 160,000 people in every corner of

the statethe state

Everyone eats!Everyone eats!

Strength in Divers ity Strength in Divers ity

More than 230 commodities are More than 230 commodities are produced commercially in Washington, produced commercially in Washington, making our agricultural economy the making our agricultural economy the second most diverse in the nation!second most diverse in the nation!

AApples to pples to ZZucchiniucchini–Aquaculture, berries, rhubarb, mint, hops, Aquaculture, berries, rhubarb, mint, hops,

lentils, wheat, barley, cherries, peaches, lentils, wheat, barley, cherries, peaches, canola, hay, timothy, milk, honey, onions, canola, hay, timothy, milk, honey, onions, asparagus, beef, eggs, carrots, tulips, asparagus, beef, eggs, carrots, tulips, … … ..… … ..

Washington State Washington State

33,000 farms33,000 farms15.1 Million acres (458 acre avg.)15.1 Million acres (458 acre avg.)

–51% cropland51% cropland–32% pasture32% pasture–13% timber13% timber– 4% other4% other

Pacific Rim LocationPacific Rim LocationWashington is very trade dependentWashington is very trade dependent

VALUE OF AGRICULTURAL VALUE OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY PRODUCTION COMMODITY PRODUCTION

TOP 6 in 2007TOP 6 in 2007

Apples $1,745 MillionApples $1,745 Million Dairy 1,062 MillionDairy 1,062 Million Wheat 974 MillionWheat 974 Million Potatoes 685 MillionPotatoes 685 Million Beef 581 MillionBeef 581 Million Hay 516 MillionHay 516 Million

Percentage of US ProductionPercentage of US Production

Washington leads the nation:Washington leads the nation:

0

20

40

60

80

100 Red RaspberriesHopsSpearmint OilApplesSweet CherriesPearsConcord GrapesPeppermint OilPrunes/Plums

WASHINGTON STATE WASHINGTON STATE

Two separate regions split by Two separate regions split by CascadesCascades

Actually seven physiographic regions Actually seven physiographic regions based on topography, precipitation, based on topography, precipitation, and river systemsand river systems

Growing Regions of WashingtonGrowing Regions of Washington

Olympic PeninsulaOlympic Peninsula

• Glacier capped Glacier capped mountainsmountains

• Old-growth forestsOld-growth forests• Rugged Pacific coastRugged Pacific coast• > 180” rain> 180” rain• Agricultural ProductsAgricultural Products

–Western GreensWestern Greens–TimberTimber–NurseryNursery–Small Niche FarmsSmall Niche Farms

Average RainfallAverage Rainfall


Lavender Festival

Sequim

July 17, 18 & 19, 2009

Willapa HillsWillapa Hills

• Coastal hills of SW Coastal hills of SW WashingtonWashington

• Deep harborsDeep harbors• 55 to 100” rain55 to 100” rain• Agricultural ProductsAgricultural Products

–Cranberries, Cranberries, raspberries, raspberries, blueberriesblueberries

–Aquaculture (17% of Aquaculture (17% of nation’s oysters)nation’s oysters)

–TimberTimber–Christmas TreesChristmas Trees

Willapa HillsWillapa Hills

Puget Sound LowlandsPuget Sound Lowlands

• Plain between the Plain between the Olympics & CascadesOlympics & Cascades

• 3/4 of the state’s 3/4 of the state’s populationpopulation

• Up to 100” of rainUp to 100” of rain• Agricultural ProductsAgricultural Products

–Flower bulbsFlower bulbs–DairyDairy–Vegetable seedsVegetable seeds–ProduceProduce

Puget SoundPuget Sound

Government Lands Government Lands

Cascade MountainsCascade Mountains

• Mountain chain from Mountain chain from Canada to CaliforniaCanada to California

• Part of “Ring of Fire”Part of “Ring of Fire”• Active volcano Active volcano

Mt. St. HelensMt. St. Helens• Agricultural Products Agricultural Products

on foothillson foothills–ApplesApples–TimberTimber–CattleCattle–Timothy HayTimothy Hay

Cascade MountainsCascade Mountains

Okanogan HighlandsOkanogan Highlands

• Rugged foothills Rugged foothills between Cascades & between Cascades & Rocky MountainsRocky Mountains

• Rich in mineralsRich in minerals• 10 to 60” rainfall10 to 60” rainfall• Agricultural Products Agricultural Products

–ApplesApples–PeachesPeaches–CattleCattle–HorsesHorses

MICRO-CLIMATESMICRO-CLIMATES

Large bodies of water (rivers and lakes) Large bodies of water (rivers and lakes) tend to moderate the climate. It is tend to moderate the climate. It is warmer in the winter, and cooler in the warmer in the winter, and cooler in the summer.summer.

Water used for irrigation or cooling adds Water used for irrigation or cooling adds humidityhumidity

Columbia BasinColumbia Basin

• Immense lava plateau Immense lava plateau with rich soilswith rich soils

• <6-20” rainfall<6-20” rainfall• Irrigated cropsIrrigated crops

–Potatoes, hay, corn, Potatoes, hay, corn, grapes, cherries, grapes, cherries, mint… mint…

• Palouse HillsPalouse Hills• 20-40” rainfall20-40” rainfall• Dryland farmingDryland farming

–Wheat, peas, lentils, Wheat, peas, lentils, canola, barleycanola, barley

Area Covered by the Columbia River Area Covered by the Columbia River Basalt GroupBasalt Group

GREAT FLOODS (x40)GREAT FLOODS (x40)

Dry FallsDry Falls

Average RainfallAverage Rainfall

IRRIGATIONIRRIGATION

Water is applied in the correct amount and at Water is applied in the correct amount and at the right time for the growing plantthe right time for the growing plantWater can be shut off for harvestWater can be shut off for harvestUnused water recharges streams and aquifers, Unused water recharges streams and aquifers, returning water later in the season and at a returning water later in the season and at a cooler temperaturecooler temperatureWater is also used for frost control and coolingWater is also used for frost control and coolingCombined, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho Combined, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho divert only 6% of the entire Columbia River divert only 6% of the entire Columbia River basin to irrigate about 7.8 million acresbasin to irrigate about 7.8 million acres

Columbia Basin Columbia Basin Irrigation ProjectIrrigation Project

Original size:Original size:

1,029,000 acres1,029,000 acres

BOR has developed BOR has developed only half of the only half of the designated project area.designated project area.

•Colorado RiverColorado River

• Serves 7 statesServes 7 states

• Has only 1/8 of the Has only 1/8 of the water of the Columbia water of the Columbia SystemSystem

WASHINGTON HAS WASHINGTON HAS !!!ABUNDANT WATER !!!ABUNDANT WATER

More than 100 billion gallons each day from More than 100 billion gallons each day from rivers entering from outside the state rivers entering from outside the state bordersborders–Plus precipitation that falls in-statePlus precipitation that falls in-state

Most of it goes directly to the Pacific Most of it goes directly to the Pacific

We don’t have a water We don’t have a water quantityquantity problem; we problem; we have a water have a water storagestorage problem. We don’t problem. We don’t have enough storage!have enough storage!

WASHINGTON DAMS WASHINGTON DAMS

1933 Rock Island1933 Rock Island 1938 Bonneville1938 Bonneville 1941 Grand Coulee1941 Grand Coulee 19481948 1953 McNary1953 McNary 1957 The Dalles1957 The Dalles 1959 Rocky Reach1959 Rocky Reach 1963 Wanapum1963 Wanapum

1965 Chief Joseph1965 Chief Joseph 1967 Wells1967 Wells 1968 John Day1968 John Day 1955-1975 Snake R1955-1975 Snake R Ice HarborIce Harbor Lower MonumentalLower Monumental Little GooseLittle Goose Lower GraniteLower Granite

Columbia Basin - IrrigatedColumbia Basin - Irrigated

PALOUSE HILLS PALOUSE HILLS

Fertile rolling hills extending for 250 miles Fertile rolling hills extending for 250 miles from Spokane to Grangeville, ID about 50 from Spokane to Grangeville, ID about 50 miles widemiles wideActually giant soil dunes developed on wind Actually giant soil dunes developed on wind blown dust called loess. Incredibly deep blown dust called loess. Incredibly deep top-soiltop-soilIndian word meaning “hair of the earth” to Indian word meaning “hair of the earth” to describe grasslands with forested valleysdescribe grasslands with forested valleysWhitman county is the #1 county in the Whitman county is the #1 county in the nation for the production of wheat, and #2 nation for the production of wheat, and #2 for barley!!for barley!!

Steptoe ButteSteptoe Butte

Columbia Basin - PalouseColumbia Basin - Palouse

Blue MountainsBlue Mountains

• South of Snake RiverSouth of Snake River• Most inland seaport Most inland seaport • Rich soilsRich soils• 7-30” rainfall7-30” rainfall• Agricultural Products Agricultural Products

–WheatWheat–OnionsOnions–WineWine–AsparagusAsparagus

Blue MountainsBlue Mountains

Designated Wine Appellation Designated Wine Appellation RegionsRegions

Economic SustainabilityEconomic Sustainability

High costs of fuel, High costs of fuel, fertilizer, machinery, fertilizer, machinery, transportationtransportation

Highest labor costs Highest labor costs Reduced labor Reduced labor

availabilityavailability Increased regulationIncreased regulation Water certaintyWater certainty GlobalizationGlobalization

?What Is “Sus tainability” ?What Is “Sus tainability”

Environmental HealthEnvironmental Health Economic ProfitabilityEconomic Profitability Practices based on sound, scientific Practices based on sound, scientific

research as well as common senseresearch as well as common sense Respect for neighbors and employeesRespect for neighbors and employees Meeting the needs of the present Meeting the needs of the present

without compromising the needs of the without compromising the needs of the futurefuture

Farming Farming Is:Is:

FarmingFarming is:is:

Food &Fiber Food &Fiber

FuelFuel FiltersFilters

FunFun (F)armaceuticals(F)armaceuticals

FertilizerFertilizer

FeedFeed

ForestsForests FishFish

Foreign TradeForeign Trade(F)otography(F)otography

FloraFlora

FaunaFauna

Competitive Advantage Competitive Advantage

WE HAVE: WE HAVE: –a unique combination of human and physical a unique combination of human and physical

resources and a prime location on the Pacific resources and a prime location on the Pacific RimRim

WE NEED TO:WE NEED TO:–Reduce tax and regulation loadReduce tax and regulation load–Fund Research & TechnologyFund Research & Technology

WASHINGTON IS UNIQUE WASHINGTON IS UNIQUE

Diverse climatesDiverse climates–Rainforest to desertRainforest to desert

Sea level to Mt. RainierSea level to Mt. RainierVolcanoesVolcanoes–Create new soilCreate new soil

Deep Water PortsDeep Water PortsPacific Rim LocationPacific Rim LocationColumbia Basin Irrigation ProjectColumbia Basin Irrigation Project


Columbia Plateau Columbia Plateau–One of the world’s largest and most spectacular One of the world’s largest and most spectacular

volcanic provincesvolcanic provinces–42,000 cubic miles of basalt42,000 cubic miles of basalt

Channeled Scablands Channeled Scablands –Carved by Great Floods Carved by Great Floods

Palous e Hills Palous e Hills Abundant water Abundant water

–Irrigation, hydroelectric power, flood control, Irrigation, hydroelectric power, flood control, transportation, recreation, water for communities transportation, recreation, water for communities and industry, micro-climatesand industry, micro-climates


Seven physiographic regionsSeven physiographic regions1. Olympic Mountains1. Olympic Mountains2. Willapa Hills2. Willapa Hills3. Puget Sound Lowland3. Puget Sound Lowland4. Cascade Mountains4. Cascade Mountains5. Okanogan Highlands5. Okanogan Highlands6. Columbia Basin (and Palouse)6. Columbia Basin (and Palouse)7. Blue Mountains7. Blue Mountains

: AG THE ECONOMIC: AG THE ECONOMICPOWERHOUSEPOWERHOUSE

13% of Washington’s economy13% of Washington’s economy–$8.32 billion of farmgate value$8.32 billion of farmgate value–$42 billion total combined food and agriculture $42 billion total combined food and agriculture

industryindustry

Washington’s # 1 EmployerWashington’s # 1 Employer–More than 160,000 people in every corner of More than 160,000 people in every corner of

the statethe state

Everyone eats!Everyone eats!

AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE IN IN WASHINGTON WASHINGTON

Be Be Proud-- Proud--

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CELEBRATE AG IN WASHINGTON

• Created by:• Robyn Meenach• Washington Farm Bureau• 2007 Ag stats used, available at www.nass.usda.gov/wa

ag in washington 2009

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