It wasn’t all fun and games at last month’s Tri-State Grain Growers Convention. Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) took the opportunity to discuss challenges facing the industry at both the state and national level and take care of association business. “The convention is a great opportunity to engage with members who might otherwise be unable to attend county or ... Read More »
By Diana Carlen Lobbyist, Washington Association of Wheat Growers The recent election showed that while the country veered red, Washington state turned bluer. Democrats will continue to hold all statewide elected positions and have slightly expanded their majorities in the Legislature. Governor. Washington’s current attorney general, Bob Ferguson, will be our new governor after defeating Republican former Congressman Dave Reichert. ... Read More »
Two high school seniors have been selected to represent Washington wheat farmers and serve as the Washington Wheat Ambassadors for the upcoming year. Zach Klein of Ritzville and Karly Wigen of Colfax were selected after an initial written application process that included submitting a short introductory video. Klein and Wigen will each be giving a speech at the upcoming Washington ... Read More »
On Nov. 4, the National Wheat Yield Contest announced the 26 national and 94 state winners for 2024 — the ninth year of the contest. This year’s contest had 516 entries, the most ever. “The new website, along with all our great partners promoting the contest and good growing conditions in most wheat-growing states early last spring, created more interest ... Read More »
From Pacific Northwest Ag Network In late September, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a study looking at meeting electrical needs in the event that the four lower Snake River dams were removed. This news comes of the heals of a variety of studies and proposal looking at removing the dams that are so important to the farming community across the ... Read More »
In September, Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) leaders took a break from fieldwork to travel to Washington, D.C., to take part in a farm bill fly-in. WAWG President Anthony Smith was joined by WAWG past presidents, Andy Juris and Nicole Berg, on the trip, which was organized by the National Association of Wheat Growers. In addition to wheat, other ... Read More »
Members of the state agricultural industry that participated in the Riparian Taskforce recently submitted a letter providing an agricultural perspective in response to some of the recommendations released earlier this summer by Plauche and Carr, the Seattle law firm that led the taskforce. The final report recommends funding and implementation of voluntary restoration efforts and acquisition of riparian areas through ... Read More »
From the National Association of Wheat Growers Citing worsening economic conditions impacting the nation’s farmers, over 300 national and state groups sent a letter to congressional leaders on Sept. 9, 2024, calling on them to pass the farm bill before year’s end. Signatories included groups representing farmers, livestock and specialty crop producers, lenders, and other essential stakeholders in agricultural communities ... Read More »
The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) is accepting applications for partial repayments to ag producers or transporters of ag products who paid carbon fees related to the state’s cap and trade program on fuel purchases. Qualifying purchases are between Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023. Funds will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications should be submitted at DOL’s ... Read More »
The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG), in partnership with the Washington State Potato Commission, The McGregor Company, and Northwest RiverPartners, is hosting a tour for more than a dozen U.S. congressional staffers from Washington, D.C., as well as the region’s district offices, on Tuesday, Aug. 20. The objective of the tour is to have the federal staffers see for ... Read More »
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