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Washington Friends of Farms & Forests maintains the diverse
membership base with the same focus since creation; to balance
news stories about chemical use, and provide oversight of
statewide issues affecting pesticide use.
Washington Friends of Farms & Forests was officially formed in
January of 1988, to protect the use of chemicals in forests, on
farms, ranches and along rights-of-way. Officers were; President
Keith Simmons, Simpson Timber Company, Shelton; Vice President
Ed Walter, Washington Tree Service, Seattle; Secretary/Treasurer
Steve Anderson, Weyerhaeuser Company, Snoqualmie; and board
member Chris Shaffer, Washington Association of Wheat Growers,
Walla Walla. In 1989, three board members were added; Ann
George, Hop Growers of Washington, Yakima; Marc Fisher,
Washington Christmas Tree Growers, Morton; and Earl Talley, Fieldman for Peshastin Fruit Growers, Wenatchee. At that time,
the focus of Friends was to fill the void that existed in
Washington regarding the balancing of news stories about
chemical use, and the need to have oversig ht of statewide issues
affecting pesticide users. Prior to the formation of Friends,
there had been a loosely organized group called the Washington
Pest Management Council.
The first Executive Director was Duncan Wurm. Friends took the
lead developing a plan to deal with highly publicized incidents
that focused public awareness on alleged and/or real problems.
As incidents developed, Friends organized a forestry,
agriculture, food processor, and pest applicator task force to
review existing mechanisms for response to occurrences dealing
with spills, drifts, and worker safety.
In 1994, the Washington Agra-Business Coalition merged with
Friends. With the merger, Friends gained lobbyists. The board
was expanded to f ifteen positions and three non-voting advisory
positions representing the Washington State Department of
Agriculture, Washington State Department of Health, and
Washington State University.
In 1996, Heather Hansen replaced Duncan Wurm as Executive
Director of Friends. Membership has remained broad with a mix of
producers and agricultural organizations, applicators, chemical
companies, timber companies, lawn and tree care, structural pest
control and golf course superintendents. Activities focus on
legislative, regulatory, legal and media issues relating to
pesticide use. In addition to state-level issues, federal issues
affecting Washington State, including the Endangered Species Act
and the Clean Water Act are addressed.
Washington Friends of Farms & Forests Past Presidents:
2006 Steve Kealy, Glendale Country Club
2005 Steve Kealy, Glendale Country Club
2004 Bruce Alber, Wilbur-Ellis
2003 Bruce Alber, Wilbur-Ellis
2002 Chuck Masters, Weyerhaeuser
2001 Ted Alby, BASF
2000 Jeff Blackner, Washington Tree Service
1999 Byron Rickert, Weyerhaeuser
1998 Dave Lawson, Syngenta
1997 Dick Tigges, Aerial applicator
1996 Gene Gamache, Hop grower
1995 Ron Crockett, Monsanto
1994 Stan Nelson, Food processor
1993 Dan Elmore, Apple grower
1992 Mark Holtzinger, Apple grower
1991 Mark Schoesler, Wheat grower
1990 Mark Fisher, Christmas trees
1989 Keith Simmons, Simpson Timber
1988 Keith Simmons, Simpson Timber |
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Telephone:
360-705-2040 |
Fax:
360-705-2018 |
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Mailing address:
PO Box 7644 , Olympia, WA 98507 |
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E-mail:
heatherhh@qwest.net |
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