Washington State Agribusiness Council
414 South 46th Avenue
Yakima, WA 98908-3232
WSagbiz@aol.com

WASHINGTON STATE AGRIBUSINESS COUNCIL

Background
The Washington State Agribusiness Council (W/ABC) is a nonprofit, voluntary membership association established for the purpose of strengthening the state's agro-food system. W/ABC is incorporated in Washington with headquarters in Yakima. The W/ABC concept was introduced in 1993 during the Ag Showcase Exhibition by Nicholas E. Hollis to an informal steering committee chaired by Dr. C. Al Pettibone, WSU Research/Puyullap. W/ABC is an independent association, modeled after similar counterpart associations in other states. W/ABC is affiliated with The Agribusiness Council (ABC), which is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization with offices in Washington, DC.

Objectives/Aims
W/ABC assists the state's agro-industry and allied sectors by providing a neutral forum for representatives of different parts of the agro-food system to engage in practical problem-solving dialogue, information dissemination on major issues affecting the environment of Washington State's agriculture/food economy. W/ABC also improves contacts with counterpart agribusiness associations in other states and abroad, raises the prestige of farmers and strengthens awareness of "agribusiness perspectives" from a private sector vantage in all fields of agriculture. W/ABC also seeks to improve agro-industry's voice before appropriate government agencies and urban people.

Results Expected
W/ABC will generate benefits for its members, improve the climate for cross-sectoral problem-solving through specialized committees and facilitate action projects through its board of directors, general assembly (annual meeting), and informal links with other associations operating at the state, regional, county and local levels. Results will include increased information flow and contacts on new agriculture/food technologies to and from the grassroots to decision-makers.

Method of Operation
W/ABC will achieve its objectives working through specialized committees and issue task forces organized in the annual meeting and action programs (i.e., seminars, trade missions, pilot projects, publications and exhibitions). W/ABC may also act as an educational lobby vehicle for agribusiness to the appropriate authorities. W/ABC will provide cost-efficient contacts and information utilizing newsletters and its informal links to counterpart associations in and outside the state. For example, on the heritage preservation front, WS/ABC in currently cooperating with the William Jennings Bryan Recognition Project (WJBP) in honor of the "Great Commoner" who championed western farmers and rural development at the turn of the twentieth century.

Direction of Activities
W/ABC's steering committee and board have met several times, refined the organization's
bylaws, and launched several subcommittees. These include International Trade and Development (which has been cooperating with USAID activities in Southeast Asia/Indonesia and the Russian Far East); Renewable Energy/Biomass Technologies (which has been developing program ideas in cooperation with DOE); Ag Finance and Credit, and Ag Transportation & Distribution. Of these subgroups, the former and the latter have been the most active, with links to other similar units across the network. W/ABC has been officially incorporated as a nonprofit organization, registered with authorities in Olympia, and has opened a provisional account at Bank of America in Yakima. As the W/ABC subcommittees gather "critical mass," an inaugural conference will be organized to convene all enrolled subscribers and supporters. It is anticipated that W/ABC will also be invited to attend ABC events and programs of other state counterpart groups in the Pacific Northwest, including the Agribusiness of Oregon.

Supporters
W/ABC is supported by voluntary contributions from leading companies interested in the state's agro-food and forestry economy - including Weyerhaeuser, Boeing, Darigold, Treetop, Stevedoring Services of America, Great Western Malting, Ward Rugh, Wilcox Farms, Lynden, U.S. Bank, Bank of America (Seafirst), Wilbur-Ellis, and Balcom & Moe. More than 160 firms, farms and organizations have pledged support and/or participated in planning meetings since August 1994. The project has also received assistance from The Agribusiness Council (ABC), Washington State Crop Improvement Association, Washington State University, U.S. Department of Energy, and others.

Budget
W/ABC has received start-up financial support from individuals and firms at various levels according to interest, annualized turnover and/or total employment. A final formula will be determined by the board of directors. Grants and contributions from foundations, banks and donor agencies will be solicited. W/ABC also anticipates financial support from registrations at events and subscriptions to its newsletter. A total budget of $100,000 per year is envisaged as a target budget after the formal inauguration.

Washington State Agribusiness Council
414 South 46th Avenue
Yakima, WA 98908-3232
WSagbiz@aol.com

"Strengthening Agro-Industry's Voice in Washington State through Association Action"

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