OLYMPIA – Aberdeen Democratic Representative Brian Blake has been named 2011 Legislator of the Year by the Washington Farm Bureau Board of Directors.
In his role as chair of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Blake has a keen understanding of the importance of agriculture to our state’s economy and was commended by the Farm Bureau for championing funding of the Department of Agriculture and the Conservation Commissions-services critical to the continued success of Washington’s agricultural businesses.
“I am deeply honored by this recognition from the Farm Bureau,” said Blake, who has been chairing the committee in the House since the 2008 session. “I strongly value their input, in fact, they are the folks I turn to in order to get an accurate pulse of the state to help me grasp the conflicts, challenges and opportunities that are occurring in agriculture throughout Washington.”
Senator Brian Hatfield, also from the 19th Legislative District, received the Legislator of the Year acknowledgment as well. Both lawmakers will be recognized for their efforts on behalf of Washington state farmers and ranchers at the Washington Farm Bureau’s 92nd Annual Meeting in November.
Washington Farm Bureau is the state’s largest general agricultural association, representing the economic and social interests of more than 41,000 member families. Since 1995, WFB’s Board of Directors awards one or more state legislators with the honor of being the organization’s Legislator of the Year. A legislator’s vote record and outstanding actions to help strengthen family farms are key criteria for receiving this award.