It’s National Agriculture Week, and the Western Governors’ Association is proud to celebrate the western farmers and ranchers who help feed and fuel the nation. 

In the United States, agriculture and its related industries contribute over $1 trillion to the country’s economy every year, and the industry provides 10.3% of U.S. employment.  

In the West, agriculture is a dominant piece of the region’s economy. Western farms are the largest in the country by average acreage and the top three states with the largest farm size are Wyoming, Montana, and Nevada. Texas boasts the highest number of acres operated by any state at 126 million – roughly 14% of total U.S. farmland.  

This week, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins celebrated National Agriculture Day on March 18, and the White House issued an official proclamation to recognize the day.  

“Today on National Agriculture Day, we recognize the people who make it all possible. The farmers, the ranchers, and the producers who dedicate their lives to feeding, to fueling, and to clothing our nation,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. 

Also on March 18, Secretary Rollins announced that USDA will issue up to $10 billion directly to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program for the 2024 crop year. The accelerated payments will help producers mitigate the impacts of high input costs and uncertain commodity prices.  

In other USDA news, the Department announced a $1 billion strategy to combat bird flu, protect the poultry industry, and lower egg prices. The approach will include $500 million for biosecurity measures, $400 million for financial relief for farmers, and $100 million for vaccine research and other priorities. 

USDA will also disperse $280 million through a grant agreement with the Texas Department of Agriculture to provide economic relief to Rio Grande Valley farmers amid a water shortage in the region.  

Around the West, Governors celebrated the indispensable contributions of their farmers and ranchers this week. 

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham proclaimed March 19 as Agriculture Trade Day to commemorate the role that agriculture plays in the state’s economy. New Mexico exports agricultural products to more than 40 countries, totaling close to $1 billion in trade.  

In Wyoming, industry groups celebrated National Agriculture Day on Tuesday to recognize the state’s third-largest industry. The cowboy state generated about $2 billion in agricultural cash receipts in 2023.  

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte celebrated agriculture in the capitol rotunda on Tuesday, saying, “Our farmers and ranchers work tirelessly to grow and raise world-class products to feed the world. As Montanans, we’re proud of our rich heritage of agriculture and the generations of families who make up our state’s number one industry.” 

Governor Gianforte’s budget expands tax exemptions for more than 700 small businesses, farms, and ranches. 

In South Dakota, Governor Larry Rhoden signed six agriculture bills in honor of National Agriculture Day.  

“Ag is King in South Dakota, and as a lifelong West River Rancher, I am deeply committed to ensuring that it thrives,” said Governor Rhoden. “These bills are an important show of support for the farmers, rancher, and producers who work hard to feed our communities. As long as I am Governor, I will keep South Dakota ag Open for Opportunity!” 

Check out more, including Western Governors’ support for an array of funding, trade, education, research, and workforce development programs that promote agricultural contributions to the economies and quality of life in western states in WGA Policy Resolution 2023-05, Western Agriculture.  

Federal task force on housing: this week, Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner announced a joint task force to identify underutilized federal land suitable for housing development.

The Secretaries laid out their vision for the task force in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, where they explained their ability to collaboratively cut red tape and deliver much-needed housing, particularly for overlooked rural and tribal communities.  

“The Interior Department oversees more than 500 million acres of federal land, much of it suitable for residential use,” wrote Secretaries Burgum and Turner. “The Department of Housing and Urban Development brings expertise in housing policy and community development. Together we are creating the Joint Task Force on Federal Land for Housing to increase housing supply and decrease costs for millions of Americans.” 

Data-driven philanthropy: this week, Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced a philanthropic partnership with Arnold Ventures, which is aimed at improving economic mobility for Coloradans. 

The multi-year, $20 million partnership will invest in data-driven initiatives in higher education and workforce training, with Arnold Ventures matching investments made by the state dollar-for-dollar over the next four years.  

“In Colorado, we are expanding opportunities for Coloradans by investing in what works. This exciting new partnership with Arnold Ventures builds on our nation-leading progress to significantly expand access to high-quality education, strengthen our workforce, and create more pathways to economic success for all Coloradans,” said Governor Polis.  

Oregon affordable homes: Oregon Housing and Community Services is funding the construction of 112 new affordable homes in Portland and Eugene, many of which will provide permanent support services, feature energy-efficient heating and cooling, or be sited near childcare services. 

22 of the new affordable homes will be dedicated as Permanent Supportive Housing, which will include tenant support services and rental assistance for households experiencing chronic homelessness.  

Watch Oregon Governor Tina Kotek talk housing at WGA’s recent BRAND West housing workshop in Bend, Oregon, which was hosted by the Governor.  

New Utah hospital: the University of Utah plans to open a new hospital and medical campus in West Valley City, thanks to a $75 million donation from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation.

The 800,000-square-foot hospital and medical campus will deliver multi-specialty outpatient care including heart care, orthopedics, women’s health, and pediatrics, in addition to general internal medicine and urgent care. It will have the capacity to serve more than 341,000 outpatient visits a year.

NASA partnership on wildfire recovery: last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state will expand its partnership with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to monitor air and water quality to protect public health and accelerate wildfire recovery efforts in Los Angeles.

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is the largest employer of those impacted by the Eaton Fire, and nearly 200 of the Lab’s employees lost their homes or were displaced by the fires.  

“California and JPL are once again demonstrating the power of science, technology and partnership to address real-world challenges,” said Governor Newsom. “While JPL is known for exploring the farthest reaches of our solar system, their scientists – many directly impacted by these fires – have turned their attention toward helping their neighbors, demonstrating that innovation and collaboration are vital for accelerating recovery.”