Here at WFB HQ today we received a “heads up” from a colleague in Nevada about a crucial meeting being held in Seattle THIS THURSDAY. You read that right, we had to hear from the Nevada State Farm Bureau that a federal agency listening session, directly related to landowners and “working lands”, was being held in our state. This leads me to one of two conclusions-- either it was a gross oversight, or the agencies don’t necessarily want to hear some of us at the listening session.

In April, President Obama established the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative to “Reconnect Americans, especially children, to America's rivers and waterways, landscapes of national significance, ranches, farms and forests, great parks, and coasts and beaches by exploring a variety of efforts…” While this initiative may provide opportunities for farmers and ranchers, it also has the possibility to be harmful to them. That is why it is so important to have those voices heard during these sessions.

This sort of short, or no, notice is all too common when working with government agencies, and a major barrier to stakeholder participation. When they neglect to notify the State Farm Bureau, an obvious stakeholder, how did they intend to get the word out to the  “farmers and ranchers” they claim they want to hear from?

The good news is that we did eventually get the information, and you can still attend the meeting this Thursday, July 1. It is crucial that LAND OWNERS, FARMERS, AND RANCHERS show up to the meeting and make their voices heard. While the stated goals of the initiative support the preservation of working lands, it is important for the federal agencies to hear from you at this listening session.

The details of the event can be found HERE.

Bravo to the editors of the Herald for “getting” it and for getting the word out to their readers about what really happens in Olympia.

There’s no need to say more,  when this editorial covers the issue of open government so thoroughly and succinctly.

On second thought, maybe there is.

If you are tired of these antics, make sure you say so through the candidates you support. To see how candidates voted on issues important to farmers, visit http://www.wsfb.com/issues/voterecord.

Next, take the time to vote yes on Initiative 1053. Along with preserving the two-thirds voting requirement for the Legislature to raise taxes, I-1053 promotes transparency by allowing us to see who votes for potential tax increases. If you haven’t yet signed a petition, do so NOW to ensure I-1053 gets on the ballot before voters this fall.

If the quote published in a recent Daily World article is accurate, kudos to Grays Harbor County Commissioner Al Carter, and his peers, are in order. In a story published in the local paper yesterday, Carter is quoted as saying: “If someone is working in the day, we want them to still be able to come and talk to us.”

This comment was in reference to the county's decision to schedule public testimony regarding critical areas ordinances at 6 p.m. instead of during “normal business hours” when the majority of citizens are working and unable to take part in what is supposed to be a public process.

Although the actual critical areas ordinance language will be heard during a public hearing scheduled for 2 p.m., Monday, May 24, by opening public testimony at 6 p.m. the County Commissioners are showing that they understand the importance of this issue.

Bravo, Commissioners, for taking the schedules of those you represent under consideration, and for making an effort to accommodate them. That's what we like to call open government.

For more about the CAOs under consideration, go here.