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My farm in Reardan, Washington is symbolic of the many reasons I’m involved with climate issues. My family has been on this farm since 1888, through good times and hard times. However, focusing on the negative has never been how problems are solved.

Instead, by concentrating on how to best meet the climate challenge, we can open up new markets and opportunities to farmers.  In the last couple of years, progress has been made as our state has advanced new laws for clean cars and biofuels.  By increasing our state’s renewable energy use, we help create significant economic openings for farmers and our communities.

I take this commitment to a sustainable, clean energy future very seriously.  In 2007, I worked with a broad coalition of farmers, business leaders, and many others to help pass the Clean Air-Clean Fuels bill to help put Washington in the forefront of states that are developing their clean energy economies and reducing their fossil fuel dependence. I also lead efforts to establish a coalition of farmers and elected officials to form Inland Empire Oilseeds which is a holistic approach to farming balancing food, fiber, feed & fuel to provide a clean and viable agriculture for Washington.  I am also the co-founder of Shepherd’s Grain Marketing Company which markets wheat in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. This holistic approach to farming balancing food, feed, and fuel can help to provide a clean and viable agriculture for our future.

We have a moral obligation to our children and grandchildren to protect and care for their future-- I think all of us want to make sure we’re proud of the legacy we leave.   

I am committed to the concept of strong private free enterprise system working with government to create opportunities. And, as a proud fourth generation farmer, I am certain that if we work together using a common sense approach we can solve the climate change challenge and, at the same time, provide good jobs and a new source of rural prosperity for Washington.