Letter to the editor

 I am currently a mobilized reservist serving our country in Afghanistan. I came home on leave and was surprised to learn in a letter to the editor that my brother, Ron Wesen, has been wrongly accused of being anti-farmland and now his ownership in our Organic Dairy is being called into question. Our family has been farming in the Skagit Valley for over 100 years, and we hope to continue farming for a hundred more years.

 Our family owns both an organic and a conventional dairy. It is a pretty amazing stretch to assume someone is pretending to be an organic producer.  The requirements and inspections are vigorous along with the required record keeping. When our neighbor decided to sell his operation, we thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to diversify and start an Organic Dairy. Our family has always helped out in all aspects of our operation, and that continues today. Ron is an active partner in the Organic Dairy, just as I am an active partner in the Conventional Dairy (When not deployed).

 I’ve always believed that actions speak louder than words and was amazed that someone building houses for a living can assert that he will protect farmland while a fourth generation farmer is anti-farmland. Politicians are amazing!

 Our family has always put our community’s and country’s needs ahead of our own.   Ron’s chosen path of service has been a journey that lead up to his decision to run for Skagit County Commissioner.  His participation in Skagit County’s CAO (buffer issue on Ag land), flood control& drainage districts and issues that PRESERVE agriculture for beyond the foreseeable future can not be discounted.  Ron has earned the respect of all of our state legislative delegation by honestly and diligently working on issues of vital concern to citizens.

LTC Dean Wesen, USAR
Bow, WA

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