In Western WA Visit, Federal Leader Spotlights Support Available For Farming, Food Infrastructure
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In this episode of The Farming Show, host Dylan Honkoop welcomes U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Deputy Administrator Bill Briggs to discuss federal support for farmers and food infrastructure in Western Washington, particularly in the wake of recent flooding. Briggs shares insights from his recent tour of impacted communities, including visits to Del Fox Meats and Knutson Farms, highlighting how federal programs like the new 90% SBA loan guarantee and the Working Families Tax Cut are helping farmers and food processors access capital and expand operations. He emphasizes the SBA’s expanded role in disaster recovery, including support for homeowners, renters, and nonprofits—beyond just small businesses—and introduces the new mobile disaster response van deployed in Washington State. The conversation underscores a growing federal commitment to rural agriculture and infrastructure, countering the sense of isolation many farmers feel. The episode closes with a call to action for farmers and food entrepreneurs to explore SBA resources and take advantage of tax incentives and loan programs to overcome financial and logistical barriers. Key takeaways include: 1) The SBA’s 90% loan guarantee program offers critical capital access for farmers and food infrastructure projects; 2) The Working Families Tax Cut allows 100% expensing of new equipment, improving cash flow; 3) Disaster recovery assistance is now available to homeowners, renters, and nonprofits, not just businesses; 4) Mobile SBA disaster response units are now active in rural Washington counties; 5) Farmers should visit sba.gov/disaster to apply for aid or find local support centers; 6) Modular processing units (like those from Friesla) provide cost-effective alternatives to building full-scale facilities; 7) Federal leadership understands rural farming challenges, with top officials having farm backgrounds; 8) Advocacy and awareness are crucial—many farmers don’t know about available support. The tone is hopeful and empowering, reflecting a renewed sense of federal engagement with rural communities.
The SBA’s 90% loan guarantee program provides critical capital access for farmers and food infrastructure projects.
The Working Families Tax Cut allows 100% expensing of new equipment, improving cash flow for farmers.
Disaster recovery assistance now extends to homeowners, renters, and nonprofits, not just small businesses.
Mobile SBA disaster response units are now active in rural Washington counties to meet communities where they are.
Modular meat processing units offer affordable, scalable alternatives to building full-scale facilities.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction: The Crisis Facing Western Washington Farms
Host Dylan Honkoop sets the stage by highlighting the financial and infrastructural challenges facing farmers in Western Washington, including rising costs, regulatory burdens, and the impact of recent flooding. He raises the question of whether federal support is truly available and attentive.
Federal Attention: The SBA’s Role in Rural Agriculture
Honkoop introduces the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a key federal player often overlooked by farmers. He previews the visit of SBA Deputy Administrator Bill Briggs to Western Washington, emphasizing the agency’s growing focus on agriculture and disaster recovery.
On the Ground: Visiting Del Fox Meats and Knutson Farms
“I got to actually see how local farmers or the local cattlemen can use those local facilities without having to build their own and then that allows them to get their product out to the market at cost.”
New Federal Tools: SBA Loan Guarantees and Tax Incentives
“We're spring-voted for growth. It's there. Our job is to make sure folks are aware of that, that they have the confidence to go forward and say, no, no, we've done this. Take that next step, grow and expand, and you can do so with confidence.”
Disaster Recovery and Broader Federal Support
“I wanted to make sure folks were aware of that one but also two to hear how their experience was with SBA and also how they're doing in their journey to recovery.”
“We're spring-voted for growth. It's there. Our job is to make sure folks are aware of that, that they have the confidence to go forward and say, no, no, we've done this. Take that next step, grow and expand, and you can do so with confidence.”
“It can feel like thankless work. So to know that there are folks at the highest level of our federal government who are aware of this and are trying to do what they can to help, that's just a boost right there.”
“I got to actually see how local farmers or the local cattlemen can use those local facilities without having to build their own and then that allows them to get their product out to the market at cost.”
Host
Guest
U.S. Small Business Administration
organization
Bill Briggs
person
Western Washington
place
Dylan Honkoop
person
90% SBA Loan Guarantee
other
Save Family Farming
organization
Del Fox Meats
other
Working Families Tax Cut
other
Kelly Leffler
person
SBA Disaster Response Van
other
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