Current Issues

Fresh off their successful lobbying trip to Olympia, leadership and staff of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers are headed to Washington, D.C., next week to take their message to a national stage. “Many of our issues, such as maintaining and expanding overseas markets with sound trade policies, improving on farm bill programs that are critical for risk management and ... Read More »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

has been rescheduled for Friday, Jan. 13, due to weather. Read More »

…About the Washington wheat industry is just one of the tasks the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) does. We take part in ag shows across the state, using games, such as our wheat trivia wheel, and handouts to educate and inform members of the public. This week, we are at the Eastern Washington Ag Expo in Pasco, Wash. Our ... Read More »

The 2016 Tri-State Grain Growers Convention is in the books. Approximately 450 attendees, speakers and exhibitors filled the ballrooms and meeting rooms of the Coeur d’Alene Resort in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, last month to network, learn the latest in industry news and maybe do a little early Christmas shopping at the silent and live auctions. But amidst all the fun ... Read More »