Ring in the holiday season by celebrating with fellow Washington and Oregon small grains producers at the 2026 annual convention in the Tri-Cities on Nov. 30-Dec. 2.
“We want to celebrate the efforts of our Washington and Oregon farmers who help feed the world while facing high input costs and low commodity prices,” said Michelle Hennings, executive director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG). “Join us to learn from top notch speakers, attend educational breakout sessions, and network with producers from both states. We’ll get some business done and honor the growers that keep working on behalf of all of us at our awards dinner.”
Keynote speakers will include:
- Fueled by peer-reviewed facts, sprinkled with cow puns, and served with the kind of Midwest “pull-up-a-chair” warmth that makes strangers feel like neighbors, Michelle Miller, also known as “The Farm Babe,” pairs lab-grade science with laugh-out-loud storytelling, proving you can be both the voice of reason and wildly entertaining.
- Chad Colby is known for making complex innovations approachable. He helps farmers, companies, and industry leaders understand how cutting-edge tools can transform their operations.
- Karen Eddington is a 20-year resilience researcher, keynote speaker, and author who teaches connection skills based on her research in The Under Pressure Project. She has been featured on ESPN for helping student athletes develop leadership skills.
- Shawn Hackett is an agricultural outlook expert, commodities specialist, and weather trend speaker covering long-term cycles related to climate, currencies, geopolitics, and global capital flows with an emphasis on their impacts on ag production and prices.
The Washington Wheat Foundation auction is always a convention highlight. Not only is it a great opportunity to get some early Christmas shopping done, but money raised through the auction benefits the Washington ag industry by funding research equipment, supporting public education efforts, and the Wheat Ambassador scholarships. The auction will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 1.
The annual convention is also an opportunity for WAWG members to review and update the organization’s resolutions during the all-committee meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 1. The resolutions help direct WAWG’s advocacy efforts for the coming year. Members that can’t attend the meeting are welcome to call the WAWG office at (509) 659-0610, and a staff member can submit comments on their behalf. A copy of the current resolutions can be downloaded at wawg.org under the “About” menu at the top of the page.
“Growers are invited to attend the all-committee meeting to participate in setting WAWG’s priorities for the coming year,” Hennings said. “WAWG is a volunteer-led organization, and our advocacy and lobbying efforts are directed by our members’ input. We want to hear from them.”
Registration and a complete convention schedule are available on WAWG’s website at wawg.org under the convention menu. Early registration ends Nov. 2. Here’s a closer look at some of the breakout sessions scheduled for the 2026 convention:
Global Wheat Trade and Markets. U.S. Wheat Associates staff will help the audience to digest and better understand the news headlines of global wheat market outlooks and challenges.
DC Talk. Staff from the National Association of Wheat Growers will deliver an “inside the beltway” perspective about what farmers can expect from lawmakers moving into 2027. They will provide an update on the farm bill status as well as other federal issues.
Wheat Market Outlook. Gain valuable insights into the forces shaping today’s wheat markets. Join The Money Farm’s Allison Thompson for a look at U.S. and global wheat supply, demand, pricing trends, and the market factors producers should be watching in the year ahead.
Innovation Tools for a More Profitable Future. Innovation can help farmers find new ways to improve efficiency, manage risk, and strengthen profitability. This panel will feature businesses that offer innovative technologies, tools, and practical solutions designed to assist wheat farmers in making smarter decisions.
Natural Resources Conservation Service Update. Learn about conservation programs helping wheat farmers improve their land and productivity. Recent NRCS reorganization details to be discussed in addition to program updates and upcoming opportunities for funding.
Beyond the Commodity Market. Explore value-added opportunities for your grain beyond the traditional commodity markets. This session will highlight specialty markets with insights into what these markets require, how they differ from the conventional markets, and what farmers should consider when evaluating potential partnerships.
From Farm Risk to Recovery. This session will examine current quality loss issues involving USDA’s Risk Management Agency, discuss how these challenges are affecting farmers, and explore practical solutions that can help producers better manage risk, address losses, and strengthen farm resilience.
