This week, I held my annual Ag Tour, where I visited agricultural facilities, spoke with producers, and discussed the challenges facing our agricultural sector. Central Washington Ag Week This week, I held my annual Ag Tour, where I visited numerous agricultural facilities, spoke firsthand with producers, and discussed the challenges currently facing our agricultural sector. As a farmer myself, I understand the issues our producers are facing—from high input costs to labor shortages, our farmers and ranchers are struggling. But I look forward to bringing what I have learned back to Washington, D.C. as we work towards solutions. Hosting a Public Forum to Discuss the Lower Snake River Dams This week, I hosted a public forum alongside local officials where we discussed the proposed removal of the Lower Snake River Dams and how that would impact Central Washingtonians and the Pacific Northwest at-large. As you know, recently there have been increased efforts by dam-breaching advocates to replace to Lower Snake River Dams with alternate, less sustainable, and less affordable energy. I have said it once and I will say it again: Congress alone has the authority to breach the dams, and as long as I am representing Washington's 4th Congressional District, I will keep fighting these ill-conceived efforts. We heard from a great turnout of locals who spoke about the importance of keeping the Lower Snake River Dams, and I look forward to taking their thoughts directly back to the lawmakers in Washington, D.C. Briefing Locals on Best Practices in Cybersecurity On Tuesday, I was in Prosser, where I hosted a Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) round table. The round table briefed locals in the agriculture sector on how to protect operations from threats and the vulnerabilities that malicious actors can exploit. I sincerely thank CISA for their continued diligence. Witnessing Agricultural Innovation As part of my Ag Tour, I visited with WSU's team at their Roza Farm location to see their developments in AI and agriculture. While there, I also saw the Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems, where I witnessed firsthand the cutting-edge initiatives aimed at revolutionizing agricultural practices by integrating advanced data systems to minimize chemical usage. Continuing to advocate for investment in research and technology to empower our farmers is of the utmost importance, and I thank WSU for showing me their facilities. Seeing the Future of the Beef Industry On Wednesday, I joined Washington Beef for a tour of their facilities and to discuss the latest innovations in the beef industry. It was great seeing the dedication and expertise that goes into producing the high-quality beef products that not only sustain our local economy, but also significantly contribute to our region's—and nation's—food security. Their commitment to meeting the demands of our region while also ensuring responsible environmental stewardship is an example to us all. Thank you for inviting me! Lowering Input Costs for Central Washington Agricultural Producers On Wednesday, I visited the Atlas Agro facility in Richland to discuss their state-of-the-art fertilizer plant coming to Richland. This new facility promises to not only to revolutionize fertilizer production, but also significantly reduce carbon emissions and lower prices for farmers who are already struggling with high costs. The Atlas Agro plant stands as a shining example of the transformative power of technology and industry collaboration in addressing the challenges facing our agricultural producers, and I look forward to seeing their continued progress. Discussing Food Security with Gilbert Orchards On Thursday as part of my Ag Tour, I visited Gilbert Orchards. While there, I saw the current operations of the farm and discussed challenges that many of our producers are facing, including labor shortages and high production costs. As a third-generation famer, I know better than most how these challenges are directly affecting our agricultural producers, and I remain committed to working towards a solution. I have said it before, and I will say it again—food security is national security, so we must do what we can to ensure that our farm economy remains strong. Touring Beef Northwest Today, I joined Beef Northwest for a tour of their fed lot. While there, we discussed how the beef industry is incorporating new and emerging technologies into their operations. We also discussed the labor challenges they, along with the rest of the agricultural sector, are facing. Thank you for inviting me! Talking About Sustainable Cultivation at CLS Farms On Thursday, I toured CLS Farms—a fifth-generation family farm located in the heart of the Yakima Valley. CLS Farms produces high-quality hops, organic apples, and soft fruit through a progressive agronomic approach and sustainable cultivation techniques, and it was great seeing their facilities. Family farms like CLS are the backbone of America, and it is encouraging to see the new innovations the farm prides itself on as they move towards the future. Visiting Grimmway Farms Processing Center To wrap up my Ag Tour, today I visited Grimmway Farms Processing Center. This center is one of the largest producers of carrots in the country and also supplies over 65 other organic crops. Their produce is used in schools and restaurants all over the country, and also ships to over 20 countries worldwide. This is just another example of Central Washington acting as the bread basket of the world, and I truly enjoyed touring their facilities. Join My Office for Mobile Office Hours This week, my staff traveled to Quincy and Tonasket for mobile office hours. Mobile office hours are a great opportunity for folks to come out and let my office know how I can better serve you. If you are having an issue with a federal agency or want to come ask a question, I urge you to stop by! Missed this week's session? Don't worry, mobile office hours will occur on a weekly basis. Next week, join my office on Monday, July 22 from 10 AM - 12 PM at Pangborn Memorial Airport in East Wenatchee, Tuesday, July 23 from 10 AM - 12 PM at Twisp Park, and Wednesday, July 24 from 10 AM - 12 PM at Othello City Hall. Click Here for the Mobile Office Hours Calendar NOW OPEN: The 2024 Central Washington Congressional App Challenge I am pleased to announce the launch of the annual Central Washington App Challenge! The App Challenge is open to all middle and high school students who reside in or attend a school in Washington’s 4th Congressional District. Students may participate individually or in a team of students up to four. The Congressional App Challenge is an event I look forward to every year and a wonderful opportunity for students in Central Washington to demonstrate their technical skills. I strongly encourage any student with an interest in STEM or computer science to get creative, build an app, and show off your skills on the national stage! The competition will run until October 24, 2024, and applicants are welcome to submit their application any time during this period. The winning app will be featured in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., on house.gov, and on the Congressional App Challenge website. Winning students will also be invited to the #HouseofCode reception on Capitol Hill and may be awarded additional prizes, to be announced later. Visit My Website for More Information Western Caucus Corner On this episode of A Voice for Rural America, I hosted House Natural Resources Chairman, Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and Jonathan Wood, Vice President of Law and Policy at the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC). Together, we discussed the ongoing efforts in Congress to reform the Endangered Species Act (ESA), including the joint Western Caucus-Natural Resources ESA Working Group. Visit Western Caucus' Spotify for More Episodes Services My Office Provides Having trouble navigating the bureaucratic red-tape of a federal agency? Need assistance with VA benefits? Looking to book a tour of our nation's capital? Visit my website to see all the services my office provides. Seeking Paid Fall Interns Are you a currently an undergraduate student or recent college graduate interested in learning about the legislative process firsthand in the heart of our nation? If so, I am currently seeking paid congressional interns for the Fall 2024 term. The internships are in-person and will run from September to the end of November. Dates are flexible. Visit My Website to Apply   It is an honor and a privilege to serve you in Congress. To stay up to date on how I am working to represent Central Washington, I encourage you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also find regular updates on my website. Sincerely, Dan Newhouse Contact Me     Rep. Dan Newhouse | 504 Cannon House Office Bldg. | Washington, DC 20515 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice