Author Archives: Trista Crossley

How the climate deal would help farmers aid the environment

From the Capital Press The climate deal reached last week by Senate Democrats could reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that American farmers produce by expanding programs that help accumulate carbon in soil, fund climate-focused research and lower the abundant methane emissions that come from cows. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

Crop progress report 07/31: Triple digit temperatures in Washington

From NASS There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, unchanged from the previous week. Statewide temperatures were high. In western Washington, the hot weather helped corn silage progress. Some areas of south Snohomish and north King counties experienced field conditions that remained too wet to complete any fieldwork. In Whatcom County, the excessive heat caused raspberry shrinkage. Nonirrigated ... Read More »

Full-time Outreach Coordinator wanted

The Washington Association of Wheat Growers in Ritzville, WA is seeking an organized and proactive Outreach Coordinator to join our family-friendly organization. We are looking for someone who wants to celebrate agriculture and advocate for our producers and our rural lifestyle. The Outreach Coordinator supports outreach operations by coordinating all aspects of WAWG grower education, assisting the executive director with ... Read More »

Junior Livestock Show of Spokane gets new director

From the Capital Press Three generations of Lori Williams’ family have participated in the Junior Livestock Show of Spokane, she says. But Williams, the show’s new executive director, told the Capital Press that some families’ roots are even deeper. “We have some families that are five generations deep,” she said. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

WAWG leader testifies at farm bill listening session

Marci Green, past president of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers and a Spokane County producer, joined more than 100 industry stakeholders at a recent House Agriculture Committee Listening Session on the 2018 Farm Bill. The listening session was in Carnation, Wash., and was hosted by Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.). During her two minutes, Green talked about the importance of crop ... Read More »

Crop progress report 07/24: Warm, dry weather in Washington

From NASS There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 6.8 days the previous week. Statewide temperatures were mostly normal. In Snohomish County, berries were running late, but crops were looking great. Cool weather crops were flourishing. Cucurbits started to take off, but tomatoes and peppers struggled. In central Washington, the weather was hot and dry. Canola ... Read More »

What is the (Food and) Farm Bill and Why Does It Matter?

From the American Farm Bureau Federation Going back almost 100 years, the history of the farm bill largely tracks the history of food production in the United States as the legislation evolves to meet the needs of its modern-day constituents – farmers and consumers. Agriculture’s role in providing food security, and in turn national security, to the United States is ... Read More »

Crop insurance should be protected

From Progressive Farmer Larger farmers would leave the crop insurance program if Congress went along with proposals to cap crop insurance premium subsidies or means test farmers, industry leaders told members of the House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

Crop progress report 07/17: Warmer Weather and Drier Conditions Benefited Washington

From NASS There were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, up from 6.3 days the previous week. Statewide temperatures were above normal. In western Washington, crops looked great with the recent summer weather. With all the ground moisture, grass and recently planted crops were doing well. Additionally, some hay was baled. In Klickitat County, the weather was much warmer, and there was ... Read More »

Industry leaders take part in ag business podcast

Michelle Hennings, executive director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers; Glen Squires, CEO of the Washington Grain Commission; and Rob Rich, vice president of marine services at the Shaver Transportation Company, recently appeared on The Business of Agriculture podcast, hosted by Damian Mason, to talk about the importance of the Columbia-Snake River System. Mason and his guests discuss how ... Read More »