Annual convention recognizes growers, county efforts

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 state meetings on a regular basis,” explained Michelle Hennings, executive director of WAWG. “We also take this opportunity to set priorities for the next year and hear from members where they think we should be focusing our efforts. We also recognize those members and counties that have gone above and beyond over the past year in support of the Washington wheat industry. Thank you to everyone who attended our meetings and gave input.” Andy Juris, past president of WAWG and a farmer in Klickitat County, was named WAWG Member of the Year. Spokane County was recognized as WAWG County of the Year. President Anthony “Bones” Smith passed the gavel to incoming president Jeff Malone from Douglas County. Gil Crosby, a grower from Spokane County moved into the vice president’s seat, and members welcomed Laurie Roecks from Spokane County as the new secretary/treasurer. Current Washington Wheat Foundation president, Randy Suess, recognized Grant Miller for his years of service and leadership to the Foundation. Ben Barstow, chairman of the Washington Grain Commission (WGC), recognized Gary Bailey of Whitman County for his service as a commissioner. Bailey is stepping down from the WGC at the end of the year. Members also heard presentations from the 2024-25 Washington Wheat Ambassadors, Zach Klein of Ritzville and Karly Wigen of Colfax. Besides their membership dues, WAWG members also support the association by donating to the Legislative Action Fund (LAF). Members who donated to the LAF were eligible to participate in drawings during the Washington state annual banquet. LAF prizes were donated by counties and individuals. Winners were:

• Casey Chumrau, iPad.
• Richard Wainscott, outdoor solar battery security camera.
• Cindy Rohde, Texas Roadhouse gift certificate.
• Jerome Jantz, $100 Amazon gift card.
• Jake Holling, $250 Cabela gift card.
• Ann Krause, $450 North 40 gift card.
• Grant Miller, Pit Boss grill.

One of WAWG’s main activities during the convention is the all-committee meeting. Members heard from U.S. Department of Agriculture agency leaders and state and national legislative updates. Jon Wyss, state executive director of the Farm Service Agency (FSA), told growers that cost share payments older than 60 days will be paid by Dec. 15. The acreage reporting deadline is Dec. 15. Wyss also had a request for growers. In the past, Washington growers had up to three years to establish Conservation Reserve Program stands. FSA policy now requires growers to have stands established within two years with the possibility of the county committee extending that to 36 months. Because that requirement is written in policy, Wyss said the state office has no ability to change it. Growers will need to lobby the national office to change it. “Every state is different. It takes us longer to establish grass in Eastern Washington (than the Midwest),” Wyss said. “That’s one of the changes we need you to help work with us on.” Ben Thiel, director of the Risk Management Agency’s Spokane Regional Office, told growers that crop insurance is funded outside the farm bill, so if legislators fail to pass a new farm bill, crop insurance with go on as usual. There are several changes coming to crop insurance pertaining to wheat. Thiel said an adjustment to replant payments is coming, and in 2026, margin coverage options for spring wheat will be available. Ben Johnson from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) told growers to be on the lookout for the Ag Resource Management Survey, which tracks chemical usage and farm management practices. The survey informs industry and global markets on how responsible growers are and looks at alternative practices growers might be using. That survey will be published in May 2025.   Roylene Comes At Night, state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), said they obligated more than $20 million this year to wheat growers on more than 100,000 acres. The state will receive a 31% increase in funding in 2025. The state is piloting a new practice that will pay producers to keep high stubble instead of plowing it and planting a cover crop. Comes At Night said she is excited to try the new practice and provide the agency data to see if the practice will work. National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) staff, Chandler Goule, CEO, and Jake Westlin, vice president of policy and communications, gave federal updates. WAWG lobbyists Diana Carlen and Mark Streuli gave a state legislative update that covered the results of the 2024 election. Following all the updates, growers reviewed and updated WAWG’s resolutions, which help guide the association’s advocacy efforts throughout the year. A complete set of WAWG’s resolutions can be downloaded from the website at wawg.org/about-us/.