It wouldn’t be summer without a trip to the county fair. Last week Rep. Jeff Morris and I went to the Skagit County Fair and the San Juan County Fair. At the Skagit County Fair I was honored to participate in the Welcoming Ceremony with Jeff Morris, Skagit County Commissioners and others. At the San Juan County Fair, I was asked to speak, again with Jeff Morris, at the Agricultural Tent regarding local agricultural issues and state policy. The presentation was followed by a great Q&A session where I learned more about several issues from local producer needs to issues with L&I. It was great to talk with all of the people that participated.

I also had a chance to check out some of the great things local farmers and gardeners are growing and raising in our community. From the 4H tent at the Skagit Fair to the incredible quilts at the San Juan Fair, to the remarkable produce at both, it was a great representation of our communities (I have to say that I particularly enjoyed the conversation and incredible pie - and ice cream) at the PTA Pie Booth at the San Juan Fair – I’m lucky this doesn’t happen more than once a year.

The fair is a great chance to highlight the work our farmers do, and an important showcase as well. A study prepared for the Washington State Department of Agriculture estimated nearly 8 million people attended local fairs across Washington in 2005, and the fairs create nearly $385 million in economic activity.

Fairs create jobs, and they serve as major centers of fundraising for non-profit organizations. When you help an organization at the fair, you’re also helping the community as a whole. The first agricultural fair in Washington was held in 1892, and we can only hope they’ll remain as important parts of our state’s economy for another century.