Posts by Trista Crossley
Market intelligence
In early October, when Wheat Life spoke to Arlan Suderman, it was too early for him to know exactly what he’ll be talking about at the convention later this month. In fact, depending on world headlines, he might be putting the pieces together at the very last minute so growers have the most up-to-date information…
Read MoreMontana native’s resume sails from Navy to Idaho’s seaport
Scott Corbitt calls his position as general manager at the Port of Lewiston the most diverse job he’s had, which is saying something from a man who once hunted submarines on a Navy destroyer. “This job goes in 15 different directions every day, and I have to be up on 10 different industries to the…
Read MoreSavoring the land
Wheat, potatoes, shellfish, and irrigation interests came together in late August to help state legislators “savor the land” during a day-long agricultural tour across the Skagit Valley. Approximately 20 legislators took part in the tour, which included visits to several farms, a local flour mill, a tidegate, and an estuary restoration project. At each stop,…
Read MoreGetting seed in the ground
In early October, Grassl Farms in Franklin County was a hive of activity as more than 100 growers gathered to learn about low-till and direct seeding methods and see several drills in action. The low-till drill demonstration was organized by Kara Kaelber, district manager of the Franklin Conservation District (FCD); Kim Brunson, executive director of…
Read MoreHarvest 2025
The 2025 wheat harvest in Eastern Washington was a mixed bag. Winter wheat yields were average to above average in most locations with good quality. Unfortunately spring wheat yields were poor thanks to an unusually dry spring and summer. As the calendar turns over to October, harvest memories are already fading — but not in…
Read MoreBrown and Ford Ranch, Walla Walla County
Scott Ford and his parents, Allen and Cheryl Ford, are the fifth and sixth generations to farm their family’s ground north of Walla Walla that was established right at the turn of the 20th century. They are 100% no-till and grow mostly winter wheat. “We’ve done some spring crops over the years, but not too…
Read MoreDenny Land and Livestock, Spokane County
For Chad and Marie Denny, watching their son, Jon, begin his farming career highlights the importance of supporting the next generation. “I feel like we’re a bridge. We’re going to own it for a little while, and then it can move on to the next generation,” Marie explained. “It’s not easy to do that. You…
Read MoreChannel K Ranch, Garfield County
“In Garfield County, if you throw a rock, you are going to hit a Koller,” said Wyatt Koller with a laugh as he described how his great-grandparents, Richard and Ollie, arrived in the area and established the family’s farm after stints blacksmithing and working at a slaughterhouse. Wyatt’s grandfather, Edwin, was one of their 13…
Read MoreBecause a river runs through it
For the third year in a row, the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) and other river stakeholders brought a group of congressional staffers to Lewiston, Idaho, in mid-August to showcase the lower Snake River dams and the critical role they play in the region’s economy. Sixteen staffers from across the nation started the day…
Read MoreWelcome wheaties!
Washington grain growers will be cultivating solutions to yield success at the annual 2025 convention Nov. 17-19 at the Coeur d’Alene Resort in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The convention offers growers the opportunity to hear state and national policy updates, listen to nationally known keynote speakers, participate in educational breakout sessions, socialize, and maybe do a…
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