NEWS RELEASE                   August 26, 2010

YAKIMA -- A plan for establishing an international agricultural fair that will promote the latest advancements in the industry as well as agriculture across the state of Washington will be unveiled during a legislative meeting in Yakima on Sept. 2.

Wine promotion and viticulture development will be among the topics discussed at the Sept. 2 meeting of a legislative study committee in Yakima. (This view of a  vineyard in Wallula courtesy of the Washington Wine Commission).

The Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations (LCEDIR), chaired by Lt. Governor Brad Owen, will learn about a new “Agricultural Fair of the Americas” proposal for the Central Washington Fairgrounds that carries with it the goal of improving food supplies for the world’s hungry.

State Senator Curtis King, R-Yakima, said the fair would build on the state’s reputation as a leader in agricultural production, science and technology.  It would call together experts from around the world on a regular basis to address challenges facing all aspects of the industry, not only central to the Yakima Valley but also those of other parts of the state, including fisheries and forestry.  “It would tie it all together,” he said.

 “We would choose a topic of international significance, perhaps water supply, pesticides, or food safety as it relates to every aspect of the agricultural industry. We would hold a symposium on that subject and bring in people from that area of expertise from different parts of the world,” King said.

Agricultural Fair of the Americas would partner with Washington State University, the University of Washington and other institutions as it examines worldwide agricultural concerns, said Jake Jundt, chairman of the Central Washington State Fair board.

“What we are envisioning is a clearinghouse for growers, producers, transportation people and trade ministers from different countries. This is where we can put the challenges on table and hopefully come to some kind of solutions,” added Jundt. 

Jundt said the board decided to pursue the idea as a way to make better use of the fairground facility after the demise of horse racing at Yakima Meadows 12 years ago. 

Jundt will provide a 30-minute overview of the Agricultural Fair of the Americas proposal at the Sept. 2 LCEDIR meeting, which will start at 9 a.m. in the State Fair Room of the Yakima Valley Sun Dome.

The 14-member LCEDIR is also scheduled to hear presentations from Dan Newhouse, director of the state’s Department of Agriculture and John Gardner, vice president of Washington State University/West, who will each give overviews of agriculture technology, promotion and innovation.

“Agriculture is a vital sector of Washington state’s economy and we are anxious to hear first-hand about some of the incredible, world-class advancements going on right within our borders that hold promise for the entire nation and world,” Lt. Governor Owen said.  “We will also hear about new technologies at use on the farm. We’ve come a long way in the past quarter century alone.”

Jon DeVaney with the Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association will make a presentation on the agricultural supply chain, covering food safety, labor and shipping.  The committee will also learn about wine promotion and viticulture development, one of Washington’s fastest- growing industries, from Robin Pollard, executive director of the Washington Wine Commission.

“We’re honored to have the Legislative Committee on Economic Development & International Relations hold their meeting in Yakima,” said Senator King, who is not on the committee but pitched the meeting idea to the lieutenant governor. “It gives us an opportunity to showcase not only agriculture in our area but across the state and allows us to talk about the impact agriculture has on our economy.”

 “I’d also like to thank Lieutenant Governor Owen for bringing his committee to our area. We’re looking forward to a very fruitful and informational meeting,” said King, who along with Yakima Mayor Micah Cawley will kick off the meeting with welcoming remarks.

Members of LCEDIR include Senators Jerome Delvin, Tracey Eide, Mike Hewitt, Jim Kastama, Derek Kilmer, Cheryl Pflug and Paull Shin, and Representatives Barbara Bailey, Bruce Chandler, Bob Hasegawa, Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney, Tim Probst, and Dan Roach.

The meeting will be broadcast on the state’s public affairs network, TVW, starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 7, repeating Wednesday at 11 a.m., then air again several times throughout that week. It will be available prior to that via streaming media on the station’s Web site at www.tvw.org.

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