Sen. Rockefeller on a combine in Eastern Washington and on the WSU wheat research plots

Last week I had the pleasure of taking a tour in Eastern Washington with fellow legislators Brian Hatfield (Chair of the Ag. Committee), Christine Rolfes, Maureen Walsh, Laura Grant, Brian Blake, Bob Hasegawa, Dean Takko, Brendan Williams, Shelly Short, Mike Hewitt, Mark Schoesler and staff.

The tour is put on every two years by the Washington Association of Wheat Growers to give attendees the opportunity to learn more about agriculture, spend time with growers, and understand the challenges they face.

One thing I found particularly interesting was the Washington State University (WSU) wheat research plots. WSU has one of the best wheat breeding programs in the world. They breed new varieties that are resistant to disease. The growers pay for this research.

The above picture on the combine was at the Harold Cochran farm just outside Walla Walla. Harold is the fourth generation on the same land. Continuing the legacy, his son now farms with him.

Harold explained that because a new combine costs about a half million dollars, which most growers cannot afford, he continues to make do with repairs to one that is years old.