On August 21, 2025, Representative Dan Newhouse, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman GT Thompson, Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison and Washington state Executive Director of USDA’s FSA Jon Wyss, met with regional agricultural stakeholders during a listening session in Prosser. The gathering underscored the importance of aligning federal and state policy with the evolving needs of Washington’s producers, while also spotlighting the role of Washington State University in advancing research and innovation that supports the state’s agricultural economy.
The session drew more than 100 producers, a clear signal of the urgency surrounding agricultural policy priorities. Chairman Thompson remarked, “he is glad to be back in the land of Cougar gold!”—a recognition of WSU’s longstanding contributions to the agricultural community and its enduring role as a trusted partner in research and innovation.
On the federal hiring freeze affecting local service providers like the Bureau of Reclamation,: Representative Newhouse noted the executive order is set to expire on October 15, adding, “that gives us an opportunity to inform the administration that that’s where cuts went too far. Our needs are not being met.” (kimatv.com)
Addressing the underlying challenge of farm profitability, Chairman Thompson emphasized, “How do we make farming profitable again? …it comes down to profitability.” Newhouse added, “These guys are certainly right, we need to develop the markets so we have a place to sell our stuff… Thanks to WSU and other states, we’ve got to stay on the cutting edge of technology, we’ve got to be smart farmers and do things as efficiently as possible.” (kimatv.com)
A key focus of the discussion was the Research Facilities Act, legislation critical to modernizing infrastructure and enabling the next generation of agricultural research. For WSU, this initiative directly supports our mission to deliver world-class research and innovation that strengthens Washington agriculture and positions producers to succeed in increasingly competitive markets. Dr. Naidu Rayapati, Director of IAREC highlighted the various challenges and opportunities in Prosser as he showed both Congressman Newhouse and Chair Thompson the world class research done by faculty on campus.
As conversations continue in Washington, D.C., WSU remains committed to serving as a catalyst for solutions that expand market access, accelerate innovation, and secure long-term support for the Research Facilities Act. By connecting research to real-world needs, WSU helps ensure Washington’s farmers can remain both competitive and resilient.
The Prosser session was more than a policy conversation—it was a reaffirmation of WSU’s leadership in advancing agricultural research and innovation. As Chairman Thompson put it, being “back in the land of Cougar gold” is not just a nod to tradition, but a recognition of WSU’s enduring impact in shaping the future of agriculture.
