Farm Bankruptcies in the Northwest Region Have DOUBLED Since 2023

Causes For Nationwide Bankruptcies Increasing by 55%:

  • High Costs For Feed, Fertilizers, Supplies, etc…

  • Lower Market Prices

  • Federal Program Freezes

  • Rising Interest Rates

  • Labor Loss Due To Immigration Crackdown

  • Unpredictable Tariffs

Small family farms struggle with government rules:

  • Too much paperwork

  • Complicated rules for water and safety

  • Money supports favors large farms

  • Market prices dominated by large farms

“When a family farm goes bankrupt, it’s not just acreage lost—it’s community. It’s generational knowledge. It’s the 4-H kids without a county fair. The school has fewer students. The church was filled with fewer pews.

Once these farms are gone, they’re not coming back. And when that happens, we don’t just lose our food independence—we lose a way of life.”
— Ken Polehn

Farmers face unpredictable weather and shifting markets. Farmers need protection for water and land resources to grow our food.

The Farm Bill provides a financial safety net to the farmers of Eastern Washington.

  • Crop insurance

  • Disaster assistance,

  • Soil and water conservation

  • Research for new crops and sustainable practices

  • Promotes trade

The U.S. Congress passed the last Farm bill in 2018. This bill lapsed in September of 2025.

Without a current Farm Bill, Farmers face: 

  • Wheat/barley/legumes price volatility

  • Loss of soil and water conservation resources, affecting costs.

  • Loss of infrastructure support: broadband, water/irrigation, wastewater and roads.

  • Disruption to grain quality inspections.

  • Inability to plan for future farming projects.