Bio: Farmer Michelle Week is the owner of x̌ast sq̓it (hast squeit) which translates to Good Rain in the traditional language of the sngaytskstx (Sinixt). Michelle is of Sinixt—also known as Arrow Lakes—ancestry, a First Nations People of Okanagan country of British Columbia and north-central Washington. She is a first generation female farmer stewarding the land, decolonizing diets, connecting with her ancestry’s cultural traditions and feeding people to help restore her community’s food sovereignty. She’s an enthusiastic member of the next generation of farmers and excited to create a cooperative business that helps build and support the cooperative and solidarity economies for a more just and healthy future for her community. Beyond operating Good Rain Farm, Michelle engages in all levels of education and advocacy. Sitting on several local, regional and national committees that focus on supporting, networking and resourcing the foundation of our Food System – Farmers and the lands they steward. Current Practices: TEK, Sustainable, Reverence, Salmon Safe, Uncertified Organic, FSMA compliant, Seeking GAP Certification, Uncertified Naturally Grown, Regenerative, ecosystems farming Agricultural Background: Have worked on 4 CSA farms over the past 7 years. I have owned my own farm for 5 years. Grew up on a hobby farm. Statement from candidate on serving: I would like to have a deeper understanding, experience and influence in policy language. I have been lobbying for over 2 decades, since I was 17 years old first with the Conservation Voters League on state level environmental concerns and most recently with National Young Farmers regarding Agriculture and Farm Bill concerns. Farming policies impact my land access, zoning, USDA/FSA & NRCS programming access, FSMA compliance, my wholesale markets to schools and other institutions. Policy impacts everything.