From the Capital Press Washington timberland owners are suing three state agencies to overturn a rule that will prohibit logging within 75 feet of streams without fish in Western Washington. The rule will take 200,000 acres of timberland out of production, according to the Washington Forest Protection Association and Washington Farm Forestry Association. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

By Pam Lewis In the Spokesman-Review We are a nation that celebrates with food. Birthdays are synonymous with cake and ice cream. Easter is all about eggs and chocolate. Halloween is everyone’s favorite day for candy (or potatoes if you swing by the Washington State Potato Commission Executive Director’s home). But the ultimate in food-related holidays is Thanksgiving. Read the ... Read More »

As you know, WAWG is a grassroots organization and our growers’ voices are critical when it comes to visiting with legislators. We will be going to Olympia for our annual Olympia Days Jan. 18-20, 2026. We try and meet with at least 50 legislators during our day and a half of visits. We like to have at least three to ... Read More »

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington last week. This will be the last weekly Crop Progress Report issued for the 2025 season. The first weekly report for 2026 will be released in early April 2026. Washington crop progress: Winter wheat emerged: 98% this week 97% last week 100% last year ... Read More »

From agriculture.com The margins on almost every major crop are set to fall this marketing year, the American Farm Bureau Federation is warning, as rising input costs and export uncertainty further squeeze producers and deepen the need for further assistance.  Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

From the Capital Press Despite some up-side opportunities, lower wheat prices will persist through the 2025-2026 marketing year, Washington State University’s small grains economist says. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

From Farm Policy News Agri-Pulse’s Philip Brasher and Steve Davies reported that “President Donald Trump late Wednesday signed into law a measure to end the longest-ever government shutdown after 43 days, fully fund USDA and FDA for fiscal 2026, and end a bitter legal battle over this month’s SNAP benefits.” “The measure, approved by the House 222-209 Wednesday night after ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen Lobbyist, Washington Association of Wheat Growers While nationally there were significant elections this November, Washington state also had some notable races in an off-year election.  Nine legislative races were on the ballot for members who were appointed to their seats and were running to retain them. Of those nine races, three candidates were running unopposed, two were ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Washington farm groups are concerned the Department of Ecology will punish farmers and ranchers who decline to adopt large riparian buffers and other “best management practices.” Ecology labels the practices, or “BMPs,” as “voluntary guidance.” But Ecology has drafted a pollution-control plan claiming the power to “require the implementation of best management practices.” Read the rest ... Read More »

From Farm Policy News Agri-Pulse’s Philip Brasher reported that “a new stopgap spending bill that would reopen the government includes a one-year extension of farm bill programs that were left out of a budget reconciliation bill earlier in the year.” “The continuing resolution, which would keep the government funded through Jan. 30, also would suspend the permanent agricultural laws that ... Read More »