WAWG
By Michelle Hennings
Executive Director, Washington Association of Wheat Growers
Happy Harvesting. This time of year reminds us that anything is possible with dedication and perseverance, and we appreciate the beauty of nature, the joy of hard work, and the power of gratitude!
The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) has consistently advocated for a modernized farm bill. The current situation is a departure from previous expectations, particularly since WAWG has traditionally not supported dividing up the farm bill into separate pieces of legislation, something that happened with the recent reconciliation bill, H.R.1 (Pres. Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”). The reconciliation bill incorporated certain farm bill provisions, while the remaining measures are included in an unpassed bill. Historically, there has been concern that splitting the farm bill could jeopardize its passage altogether. We are now entering a new era of modernization, and after discussions with agricultural committees in Washington, D.C., there is an expectation that a mini-farm bill will be enacted. Some agricultural stakeholders remain skeptical about this outcome, suggesting that an extension or alternative means may be necessary to implement the rest of the farm bill’s programs. I am uncertain regarding the future of a comprehensive farm bill.
However, H.R.1 addressed and improved the top three priorities on WAWG’s national legislative list:
- Enhanced commodity safety nets. H.R.1 revises the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs by adjusting reference prices 10-20% to reflect contemporary market conditions and increasing flexibility in program enrollment. Coverage is expanded to better support smaller producers and diversified farms. The wheat reference price will be $6.35 per bushel, up from $5.50 in the 2018 Farm Bill. Starting in the 2031 crop year, the reference price for all covered commodities shall equal the reference price in the previous crop year multiplied by 1.005 and cannot exceed 113% of the reference price. Effective reference price will be calculated based on 88% of the Olympic average of the previous five years versus 85%. H.R.1 allows farmers to receive the higher of the ARC or PLC payment for 2025. It also allows farmers to purchase the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) crop insurance product even if they are enrolled in ARC. There is also an increase in the payment limitation for Title 1 payments from $125,000 to $155,000; that limitation will be adjusted annually to account for inflation.
- Modernized crop insurance. H.R.1 increases subsidies for premium payments. It increased the maximum coverage level to 90% and the premium discount to 80% for SCO. It also allows whole farm policy coverage to increase to 90%.
- Market development and export expansion. H.R.1 reinvigorates trade programs, allocates additional resources for market promotion, and provides targeted support for opening new export markets. There weren’t specific line items for the programs the wheat industry typically relies, the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program, but these funds are included in the trade promotion section of the package.
H.R.1 promises more direct support, deregulation, export incentives, and infrastructure investment. Some Title 2 conservation programs were included in the bill, but the Conservation Reserve Program wasn’t. It’s important we keep advocating for a mini-farm bill and/or solutions to make sure all the programs growers rely on get renewed and are available.
Last December, Congress passed the American Relief Act of 2025 that included $30 billion in disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers — the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP). It’s likely that most of you have already received payments. The Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) sign-up started July 10, and you should have received a pre-filled form from your county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. To be eligible for stage one of the SDRP, growers must have experienced losses in 2023 and/or 2024 and have received an eligible federal crop insurance or NAP payment. Covered disaster events include frost/freeze, winter storms, excessive heat, and drought (your county must be listed as a qualifying drought county). In stage one of SDRP, growers will receive 35% of the payment that is estimated on their form. I personally went into my county’s FSA office to apply for our farm on the first day of sign-ups so I could see the process and be able to inform farmers. It was very streamlined. I had my preprinted forms, and they were very helpful in answering my questions on the few boxes I needed to fill out. If you have questions on how to fill out portions of your form, I urge you to call your local county office for assistance. There will be a stage two for producers with uncovered losses, including nonindemnified shallow losses and quality losses. Projected sign-up for stage two will begin mid-September.
These disaster programs were intended to respond to the challenges facing agriculture, such as disrupted supply chains, market fluctuations, and rising costs. While the American Relief Act includes several provisions specifically designed to aid and empower growers, we all know this barely skims the high input costs and low commodity prices we have endured over the last few years. This is really only a band-aid. WAWG, along with other commodities, is continually advocating and educating at the national and state level about the current situation in farm country. I know from my own experience and from talking with farmers, it’s very bleak, and this situation is not sustainable in the long term. We already know Washington state is losing farms at a very fast pace.
I want to spotlight a recent collaborative effort between the Upper Mississippi Waterway Association (UMWA) and stakeholders from the Columbia-Snake River System. WAWG, along with participants from across our region, organized a week-long tour of the Columbia-Snake River System, beginning in Astoria and ending at the Port of Lewiston. The idea for this event stemmed from a similar Mississippi River tour I joined last June, which aimed to encourage cooperation between these two major river systems and amplify our collective voice to Congress and the public on the many issues facing working rivers. In previous columns, I’ve shared how successful that trip was. This time around, we hosted UMWA, giving them a closer look at the unique challenges and successes in our area.
Although there are significant differences between the two river systems, we also found common ground that can help us support and advocate for each other. My time on the Mississippi highlighted some important contrasts with how things operate here in the Pacific Northwest, such as how vast and big their waterway is (they run 40-barge tows vs. our four-barge tows); how many congressional districts they have along their river system; the resiliency on issues such as drought; the utilization of the river to maximize their capacity; and investing in high school students for a career on the water. On the Columbia-Snake River System, the UMWA group was impressed with our stakeholder engagement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and how the various entities work together to maintain the river system and communicate well on issues that arise. They mentioned how gratifying it was to see the ports include spaces for the public to enjoy, like the public market at the Port of Kalama, and they were also impressed with how many modes of transportation interact with the river system: barge, truck, rail, and pipeline. Overall, both trips were uniquely important stepping stones for a positive working relationship in the future. I look forward to collaborating with them on the issues we share.
Late summer is when we send out membership notices. To make payment easier, you’ll be able to pay your dues on our website (wawg.org) or by scanning a QR code. Check payments are still accepted. WAWG continues to work on important issues at both state and national levels to protect members’ interests. That work is made possible through your membership dues, and they remain vital to our advocacy efforts. We know the current farming environment is creating hardships for many, and we feel fortunate that our members value our work enough to support it. If you know growers who aren’t WAWG members, please invite them to join. If you have questions or need information, call us at (509) 659-0610 or email michelle@wawg.org.