Last week during our annual lobbying trip to Olympia, several members of our party testified at a Senate ag committee hearing on a bill that would require the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to provide at least 180 days written notice for early termination of leases. Sen. Sharon Brown sponsored the bill, and in this legislative update, she gives ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist Week two of the legislative session was filled with a flurry of new bills being introduced and committees holding work sessions and public hearings on proposed legislation. Most committees have not started the process of passing bills out of committee since they have more time in a long session to act on bills. The first legislative ... Read More »

Editor’s note: WAWG Executive Director Michelle Hennings is quoted in this story. From the Tri-City Herald The Trans-Pacific Partnership would have opened new markets and reduced tariffs for a variety of Washington-produced crops. But as President Donald Trump removes the U.S. from the controversial and complex TPP agreement, Washington’s trade-dependent agricultural industry reacted with a mix of disappointment and relief. Read the rest of ... Read More »

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds farmers in Idaho, Oregon and Washington that the final date to purchase or modify federal crop insurance coverage on most 2017 spring-planted crops is approaching. Farmers can also purchase the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection policy for 2017 crops. For 2017 spring-planted onions in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and cabbage in Oregon ... Read More »

On Thursday, members and staff of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers testified in front of the Washington State Senate’s Agriculture, Water, Trade and Economic Development Committee during a public hearing on SB 5051, a bill relating to non-default termination provisions in state land leases for agricultural or grazing purposes. Chad Smith and Nicole Berg, both wheat farmers from Benton ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist The Washington State Legislature convened for the 2017 regular session on Monday, Jan. 9. In odd calendar years, regular legislative sessions are scheduled for 105 days and are referred to as “long” sessions because the Legislature needs to adopt the state operating budget. This is expected to be a very challenging budget year because the ... Read More »

From the Capital Press Washington’s agriculture Director Derek Sandison outlined for lawmakers Tuesday his plan to help the state’s export-dependent wheat farmers meet a key international benchmark for quality, though none of the measures appear to be quick or easy. “We have a plan. We’re moving forward with it,” Sandison told the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. “It’s not ... Read More »

Leadership and staff of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with various federal agencies as they make the transition to a new administration. “There are a lot of changes happening in Washington, D.C., as the new administration prepares to take over,” said Michelle Hennings, executive director of WAWG. “We wanted to meet ... Read More »

By Diana Carlen WAWG Lobbyist On Monday, the Washington State Legislature began the 2017 Legislative session in Olympia. Because it is an odd-numbered year, it will be a “long” session that is scheduled to last at least 105 days due to it being a budget year. The primary focus will be producing an operating, transportation and capital budget for the state for 2017-2019 ... Read More »

In a letter to President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice President-Elect Mike Pence last week, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), and a coalition of 15 other producer organizations noted the contribution of agriculture and agriculture-related industries, predominant trade markets and expressed intent and willingness to identify new global opportunities together in order to impact the rural economy in the ... Read More »