Tag Archives: WAWG

As a college student, Ben Barstow wanted to get into farming. When people asked him what he wanted to do when he graduated, he’d reply: “I’m looking for a Palouse farmer’s daughter who doesn’t have any brothers who want to farm,” he recalled. “A short time after that, we met.” Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

At their county meeting in January, Franklin County wheat growers elected a new representative for the Washington Association of Wheat Growers’ (WAWG) board of directors. Ben Cochrane is the 5th generation to work on the family’s farm in Kahlotus, Wash. “I’m excited to be a part of WAWG. I’m looking forward to being a contributing member,” Cochrane said. Cochrane graduated ... Read More »

The 2022 Washington Wheat Ambassadors, Tate Nonnemacher and Cadence Zellmer, both from Davenport, Wash., each got to take part in a flight on the Farmland Fox, a series 7 Kitfox light sport plane piloted by Tim Cobb, partner/owner of Farmland Company. During the flight, which took place in September, taking off and landing on a rural airstrip in Lincoln County, ... Read More »

The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) is proud to announce the hiring of long-time agricultural advocate, KayDee Gilkey, as their new outreach coordinator. Gilkey will be a familiar face to many wheat growers as she’s been involved with industry groups for years, most recently as director of industry relations with the Washington State Beef Commission. Before that, she worked ... Read More »

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 »

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 »

From the Center Square Michelle Hennings, executive director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, said farmers are worried about a multitude of factors that will affect harvest levels this year. She said their concerns are centered on the possibility for continuing drought, spiking fuel and fertilizer costs, delays in getting equipment, and an increase in global demand tied to ... Read More »

The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) recently welcomed Chuck Erickson as the new board member from Grant County. Erickson was born and raised on his family’s Hartline, Wash., dryland farm, which was established in 1889. He is the fifth generation and, alongside his father, raises wheat, a bit of barley and canola. Erickson is married to Timi, who also ... Read More »

The newest member of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers’ (WAWG) leadership team, Anthony Smith, isn’t actually new to either WAWG or the industry. Smith grew up on his family’s Benton County farm, which was settled by his grandfather in the early 1930s. The family grew dryland wheat and raised tree fruit and grapes. After graduating from Prosser High School, ... Read More »

By Michelle Hennings Executive Director, Washington Association of Wheat Growers The last six months have been interesting here at the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG). I feel like a little bit of normalcy is starting to set in as we’ve been having some in-person meetings, which has been quite refreshing. I think this will be our new normal, both ... Read More »