WAWG
By Michelle Hennings
Executive Director, Washington Association of Wheat Growers
Happy New Year! There’s been a lot of changes in the last couple months. Not only do we have a large number of new state lawmakers and a new governor, we are also dealing with a change in administration in Washington, D.C. The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) has a lot of work ahead of us, educating and building relationships so wheat growers have a voice to highlight the impacts, both economically and regulatory, of legislative actions.
At the federal level, the farm bill remains a critical concern for the wheat industry. WAWG, along with the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), is strongly urging Congress to reach an agreement and pass a comprehensive farm bill, rather than an extension, that supports our agricultural community. We are also advocating for an economic assistance package to support farmers facing financial strain — prices have plummeted by over 36% compared to the 2022-23 marketing year, while production costs remain historically high. Drought and other natural disasters have exacerbated financial pressures, leading to consecutive years of unprofitability for many growers. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, net cash farm income is expected to fall by 27% from 2022, and farm sector debt for 2024 is projected to reach an all-time high when adjusted for inflation. Without economic assistance, many farmers will struggle to continue operations or secure operating credit for 2025.
Several months ago, we sent a team from WAWG to Washington, D.C., to participate in a NAWG fly-in. This event was conducted in collaboration with representatives from the corn, soy, cotton, peanuts, sorghum, and rice organizations, as well as agricultural lenders. The primary objective was to educate Congress on the critical need to strengthen the agricultural safety net and to highlight the economic challenges that have led to multiple years of unprofitability for growers. This marked the first occasion in several years where all agricultural sectors presented a unified front to Congress. The visit made a substantial impact, underscoring the necessity for legislative action and prompting discussions on an economic assistance package.
We are anxious to see how the new administration will address the continued controversy over the lower Snake River dams and the agreements reached by the Biden administration. Even if we have a positive outcome, we must not become complacent. We need to be proactive and keep our advocacy efforts and education momentum moving forward. We can expect with any administration we will always have litigation over whether the dams should be breached or not. The Trump administration’s focus on energy and support for increasing supply rather than reducing it has been favorable, allowing the Columbia-Snake River System to remain operational, which provides reliable and cost-effective transportation for our farmers.
We have been working with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) on a transportation study that models what our system would look like without the dams. WSDOT released a status report in mid-December that can be found at wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-studies/lower-snake-river-dams-transportation-study under the “Outcomes” tab at the bottom of the page. While we appreciate WSDOT’s engagement with stakeholders, we believe the tax-payer funds allocated to the study would be far better spent on projects that could have an immediate impact on fish, such as conservation programs or habitat restoration projects. So far, I haven’t seen a feasible solution to the high costs and reliability issues presented in their model. We will be diving into the report in the coming weeks.
In an effort to show WSDOT how complex our transportation system is, we gave the department a tour at the ports of Longview and Kalama to highlight a successful system that integrates wheat transportation via barges, trains, and trucks to meet customer specifications. So many people don’t realize how much work goes into sourcing the right wheat class with the right protein to meet the customer’s requirements and then getting that grain to the export terminal at the same time as the ship. Any delay can result in costly fees or missed shipments. Once WSDOT releases their draft report, we’ll have the opportunity to comment on it.
I am honored to have been nominated to the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association’s (PNWA) Executive Committee. WAWG has been working with PNWA and the Inland Ports and Navigation Group (IPNG) to proactively address the various dam studies happening around the region. I’m also part of a group of river stakeholders, that has been instrumental in our advocacy efforts, participating on trips, tours, Army Corps meetings, and educational outreach concerning river system issues like the lower Snake River dams and the Columbia River Treaty.
In August, we organized a tour for Congressional staffers at Lower Granite Dam and the Port of Lewiston. The river stakeholders group collaborated to educate staffers about the critical importance of our infrastructure and the M-84 corridor. Unity between stakeholders has been essential in conveying our message effectively, and we have achieved success for two consecutive years with this event. The tour’s reputation as a “must-see event” is spreading in D.C., underscoring its impact.
At the state level, I would like to congratulate Director Derek Sandison on his re-appointment as director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Director Sandison has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and a deep understanding of the agricultural needs and challenges within our state. We are thankful he will be representing us for another term.
The state’s push for mandatory buffers is still making waves. WAWG participated in the riparian taskforce but didn’t entirely agree with the recommendations included in the final report, especially the suggestion that eminent domain could be used as a regulatory option. We signed onto a letter to the law firm that led the taskforce to provide an agricultural perspective on some of those recommendations. I don’t think this issue is going away any time soon, so it’s one we’ll be keeping a close eye on as the 2025 legislative season gets underway.
Our annual advocacy trip to Olympia is approaching, and we will set our priorities at the next WAWG board meeting on Jan. 7. Our priorities will likely include maintaining our tax exemptions, ensuring conservation legislation remains voluntary, pursuing a seasonal labor exemption, and educating legislators on harmful legislation.
As we enter the policy season, we welcome volunteers and involvement with WAWG. Our commitment to advocating for the interests of Washington state’s wheat growers remains unwavering. Together, we can overcome challenges and seize the opportunities ahead.