Welcome to Skagit County

March 8, 2004

SKAGIT COUNTY TO HOST WASHINGTON AGRICULTURAL SUMMIT

SKAGIT COUNTY - The Washington Ag Summit, a workshop for citizens, policymakers, agricultural committees, and agricultural leaders, will be hosted by Skagit County, Tuesday, March 23, 2004, at the Best Western Cotton Tree Inn and Conference Center in Mount Vernon. The event is coordinated by Allison Deets, Director of Skagit County's Farmland Legacy Program.

Speakers include Mike Shelby, Executive Director of Western Washington Agricultural Association, who will address water rights, drainage, and buffer issues. Dan Wood, Government Relations Director wit the Washington State Farm Bureau will also speak.

An Agriculture Business Panel will be facilitated by dairyman Oscar Lagerlund and feature Janet McRae, representing the beef industry; Jerry Nelson, a potato grower and processor; Leo Roozen of Washington Bulb; and Steve Sakuma of Sakuma Brothers Farms, a berry grower and processor.

Mary Heinricht, principal in the firm Ag Prospects, from Virginia, will make a presentation entitled, "Comprehensive Policy for Agriculture in Virginia and New Jersey. She will also facilitate a work session entitled, "How to Make Policy Happen: At home, in Olympia, and in Washington, DC."

Tim Kunka will lead a discussion on the importance of having a statewide coalition of Agricultural Advisory Committees. For further information, contact Allison Deets at 360-336-9365.