Columbia Gorge farmers seek pear disaster declaration, revised housing and overtime rules

Farmers in the Columbia River Gorge are requesting federal disaster aid due to a catastrophic 2025 pear harvest, attributing the failure to severe weather conditions. Meanwhile, they're urging state legislators to reconsider new laws that require overtime pay and stricter housing standards for farmworkers, which they argue will drastically increase operational costs. This move highlights the ongoing tension between agricultural productivity and labor regulations, showing how external factors like climate and policy can heavily impact local economies.