Patrick Smith

Patrick Smith, a fourth-generation apple and hops farmer from Loftus Ranches, shares his firsthand experience with the impact of trade policies and climate conditions on agriculture. He discusses the pressing challenges such as labor regulations and fluctuating export markets that threaten the stability of farming in central Washington. Additionally, he highlights the broader implications of these agricultural issues, including supply chain unpredictability and the effects of wage increases in related sectors, painting a vivid picture of the real costs facing today’s economy.