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Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 13h

Official letters recently obtained by Whatcom Family Farmers, tribal and public utility officials in the Yakima River Basin say Washington State Department of Ecology was unprepared to regulate water use in the basin:
Full press release: https://whatcomfamilyfarmers.org/2025/10/20/too-big-of-a-job/

“Too Big of a Job”? Documents Reveal State Failure to Protect Yakima Water, Raising Questions About Whatcom Lawsuit

Recently-obtained letters expose Washington Department of Ecology’s inability to enforce the state water laws it claims to champion to protect endangered salmon In the face of a crippling state focus on their water resources, farmers in Whatcom County are questioning the Washington State Department of Ecology’s ability to manage those resources, after newly-revealed

whatcomfamilyfarmers.org

Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 6d

We need to all work together on solutions to our water management issues.

#whatcomfarmers #whatcomcounty #whatcom #pnw #farming #waterforwhatcom

Save Family Farming @savefamilyfarming.bsky.social · 6d

The better path forward is for all the stakeholders to come to the table, work together, and stick to the plan we built collectively.
#Farming #ProtectFarming #Yakima #YakimaBasinPlan #Water #Drought
https://savefamilyfarming.org/we-have-a-plan-now-follow-it/
Washington State Department of Ecology

We have a plan. Now follow it.

Jason Sheehan, member of the Save Family Farming Board of Directors, Lower Yakima Valley Dairy Farmer, and member of the Roza Irrigation District Board of Directors issued a statement regarding the recent announcement of Yakima Basin water restrictions. “The recent announcement that the Yakima Basin will face unprecedented water rationing should

savefamilyfarming.org

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Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 7d

Ongoing drought conditions have led to water shortages in the Yakima River Basin severe enough that water to many farms has been shut off.
🎙️https://savefamilyfarming.org/facing-yakima-water-shortage-farmers-and-tribes-exemplify-collaboration/

#Yakima #Nooksack #Water #PNW

Whatcom Family Farmers

Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 10d

Back in 2022, we raised the alarm about high bacteria levels flowing from north to south. Real progress happens when both sides take responsibility.
#Whatcom #WaterQuality
https://www.whatcomcd.org/post/water-recognizes-no-border-improved-water-quality-requires-neighbo-u-rs-to-work-together

Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 11d

Mark your calendars and join us for an inspiring evening of stories, updates, and connection — celebrating Whatcom’s farmers and strengthening the bridge between local farms and the community they serve.

https://whatcomfamilyfarmers.org/2025/10/09/farmer-rally-2025-coming-november-19/

Farmer Rally 2025 Coming November 19!

Preserving the Legacy and Future of Family Farming in Whatcom County Family farms are the heart of Whatcom County: feeding our communities, caring for the land, and passing down a proud way of life through generations. But today, that legacy faces new challenges, from shifting regulations to changing weather and public misunderstanding about agriculture. That’s why we’re

whatcomfamilyfarmers.org

Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 12d

Whatcom water users: Learn from Yakima. It took 30 years of lawsuits before they reached real solutions with the excellent Yakima Basin Integrated Plan. Let’s not waste decades here in the Nooksack. Collaboration beats litigation.

www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/b...

#PNW #WhatcomCounty #Whatcom

'This is unprecedented:' Ecology restricts surface water use in the Yakima River Basin

Total system storage of the Yakima Project's five reservoirs is at 8%, among the lowest on record. Without reservoir water, natural flows are not enough to fulfill irrigation demands, including

www.yakimaherald.com

Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 14d

In the Dungeness Valley, farmers and a Tribe are working w/ Washington State Department of Ecology to save salmon and share water. Why is the same agency suing local water users in the Nooksack Basin? Farmers want collaboration, not courtroom battles. https://youtu.be/IqOD7Trlc2E?si=tZbAtjXc_SUBD7rw

Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 18d

California’s story is a reminder: water mismanagement hurts everyone. If we don’t work together on smart solutions here at home in #WhatcomCounty, our farms, our families, and our #salmon will all pay the price. youtu.be/Dz72b3aEHqk?...

#Whatcom #PNW #Farming #ProtectFarming #FishNeedFarms

California's Water Crisis is Being Caused By a Man-Made Drought

YouTube video by Farm Journal

youtu.be

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Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 21d

It's #NationalCoffeeDay & what goes great with a nice hot cup of ☕? Baked goods! What does this have to do with #farming? A great article out of @cascadiadaily.com makes the connection: 💚 We love to see our local businesses supporting our local #farmers!
#supportfarmers #eatlocal #pnw #whatcomcounty

Cascadia Daily News @cascadiadaily.com · 22d

The Lynden Dutch Bakery, the second oldest in Washington, was founded by Dutch immigrants in 1907. It offers nostalgic treats like stroopwafels, amandel koeki and rich boterkoek.

The Lynden Dutch Bakery sits on Front Street in Lynden. The bakery has been owned by nine families since its founding in 1907. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

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Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 25d

5/5
“It’s through partnerships like these that we turn shared challenges into lasting solutions.”
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This. This is what we need in Whatcom County.

Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 25d

4/5
“Reclamation manages water from five Yakima Project reservoirs and unregulated inflows to meet water rights, contracts, and instream flow needs—ensuring a balanced approach to water management in the face of growing challenges.

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Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 25d

3/5
“Co-chaired by Reclamation and the Washington State Department of Ecology, the group focuses on policy and project development to support water supply, ecosystems, and communities.

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Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 25d

2/5
“This quarterly meeting brings together the Yakama Nation, irrigation districts, and environmental groups to advance long-term water solutions.

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Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 25d

This was a post from the US Bureau of Reclamation. Unfortunately, they’re not on Bluesky yet. Here’s the post text:

1/5
“Reclamation’s Columbia–Pacific Northwest Region’s acting regional director Roland Springer recently met with the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan working group in Toppenish, Wash.

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Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 25d

This is what we need in #WhatcomCounty that we don't have yet. It's through collaboration that we can work on projects to best manage our water resources.

#Whatcom @ecology.wa.gov @atg.wa.gov @governorferguson.bsky.social

#PNW #WALeg #Yakima #YakimaBasin #BureauofReclamation

x.com/usbr/status/...

x.com

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Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 27d

Whatcom Family Farmers Exec Director takes a closer look at some of the mistakes this local news report made and why bad reporting can cause such a problem for farming. savefamilyfarming.org/how-a-news-r...

#TheFarmingShow #WhatcomCounty #AirQuality #PNW #Farming #ProtectFarming #TruthMatters

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Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · 28d

Same land. Same air. Same community.
A recent story overstated local #farm impacts using outdated & out-of-place data. Our op-ed in @cascadiadaily.com explains why #Whatcom farms are different, and why context matters.

www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/sep/18/...
#WhatcomCounty #Farming #PNW #TruthMatters

Guest writer: Air pollution story gets Whatcom farming wrong | Cascadia Daily News

The author emphasizes public perception of farming is shaped by stories like this

www.cascadiadaily.com

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Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · Sep 18

“We will be making the case to the state that suing our county and then forcing local water users to cover the costs is grossly unfair."

🔗 whatcomfamilyfarmers.org/2025/09/18/w...

@ecology.wa.gov @atg.wa.gov @governorferguson.bsky.social

#Farming #Agriculture #WhatcomCounty #Whatcom #PNW #WALeg

Water Rights Watch, September 2025

"We will be making the case to the state that suing our county and then forcing local water users to cover the costs is grossly unfair." The Court Process It’s now been over a year since the adj...

whatcomfamilyfarmers.org

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Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · Sep 17

“Don’t forget that @ecology.wa.gov promoted this process with repeated suggestions along the lines of, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll help you through it,’” WFF Exec Dir Fred Likkel said. “The #farming community has never trusted that answer.”

@governorferguson.bsky.social

#PNW #WALeg #Whatcom #WhatcomCounty

Cascadia Daily News @cascadiadaily.com · Sep 17

Whatcom County and the courts are making efforts to increase access to justice in the ongoing Nooksack Basin water rights lawsuit. However, funding is constraining such efforts.

Limited funds will impact Whatcom County’s outreach to water rights holders | Cascadia Daily News

'Office hours,’ info sessions and more to be held ahead of the May 1, 2026 deadline

www.cascadiadaily.com

Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · Sep 11

State Funding Cuts Harm Whatcom Residents Olympia Sued Over Water

Whatcom Family Farmers Executive Director Fred Likkel issued the following statement reacting to Olympia’s funding cuts harming state-sued local water users: “The troubling inequities in the state’s ...

whatcomfamilyfarmers.org

Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · Sep 11

#Whatcom’s water adjudication is underfunded, understaffed, and already overwhelmed. WFF Exec Dir., breaks down why Washington’s funding cuts leave farmers and families facing delays, uncertainty & higher costs.
@ecology.wa.gov @governorferguson.bsky.social #WhatcomCounty #PNW

youtu.be/624bBqCmyXA

Fred Talks: State Cuts Leave Whatcom Water Adjudication in Crisis

YouTube video by Whatcom Family Farmers

youtu.be

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Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · Sep 10

Not only did the state legislature reduce the support for residents filing their own court claims & cut funding that the #Whatcom Superior Court needs to manage this process but it also shortchanged support for community collaboration toward solutions. #PNW whatcomfamilyfarmers.org/2025/09/10/s...

State Funding Cuts Harm Whatcom Residents Olympia Sued Over Water

Whatcom Family Farmers Executive Director Fred Likkel issued the following statement reacting to Olympia’s funding cuts harming state-sued local water users: “The troubling inequities in the state’s ...

whatcomfamilyfarmers.org

Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · Sep 8

#Whatcom Superior Court came to the Lynden Municipal Court building this morning for a hearing in the Water Adjudication process & was met with a packed house! Nearly every seat was taken & many listened from just outside the courtroom.

⏯️ Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-mY...

#WhatcomCounty

WRIA 1 Water Adjudication Hearing - Steering Committee Monthly Status

YouTube video by WCSC Water

www.youtube.com

Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · Sep 5

Whatcom County’s water rights lawsuit grows more unfair: the state funds its own case but leaves locals struggling—despite promising to help. Even the County admits it was “overly optimistic” the state would step up.

@ecology.wa.gov
#whatcomcounty #whatcom #pnw #waterlaw #waterrights #waleg

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Whatcom Family Farmers @whatcomfamilyfarmers.org · Sep 4

#Whatcom County farms aren’t dusty feedlots. In this week's #FredTalk, Exec. Director Fred Likkel explains what makes Whatcom's family farms different - why they have little impact on our air quality. Bottom line: bad data can harm good farms.
#TruthMatters #PNW #AirQuality
youtu.be/GqOcvv9lpz4

Fred Talks: Does Whatcom County REALLY have a problem with animals & air quality?

YouTube video by Whatcom Family Farmers

youtu.be