Posts by Trista Crossley
CRP white paper published
Editor’s note: This article is excerpted from a Washington Association of Wheat Growers white paper published in June 2026. The full white paper is available at wawg.org/wp-content/uploads/CRP-WA-Policy-Paper-05.26.26.pdf. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is one of the most important conservation tools available to Washington state farmers, not just for agriculture, but for public health, air quality,…
Read MoreMeet Casey Sixkiller
Casey Sixkiller was appointed as the 14th director of the Washington State Department of Ecology in early December 2024 by then Governor-elect Bob Ferguson. As director, Sixkiller oversees a biennial budget of $2.8 billion and a workforce of 2,200 employees dedicated to protecting Washington’s air, land, and water. Prior to joining the department, he served…
Read MoreHomes for wildlife
Eastern Washington producers looking to bump up wildlife habitat on their farm might be able to find financial help from a little-known U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service program. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) program was established by Congress in 1987 and is accessible in all 50 states. With nearly 70% of all land…
Read MoreDrilling for success
Building on the success of last year’s low-till/no-till drill demo in Franklin County, organizers are planning a similar event near Pullman, Wash., on Sept. 15. “Last year’s event was extremely well attended, and we heard from a number of producers that they’d like to have a similar event in Whitman County,” explained Andrea Cox, conservation…
Read MoreFeeding the economy
Two reports are highlighting the valuable role U.S. agriculture and, more specifically, the U.S. grain and feed industry, plays in the national economy. Feeding the Economy In early March, 35 food and ag groups released the annual “Feeding the Economy” report, which analyzes the direct and indirect economic contributions of the entire agricultural supply chain…
Read MoreFood and Farm Tour
In mid-July, legislators got down in the dirt to hear directly from producers about how bills passed in Olympia are affecting the state’s agricultural industry. Every year, ag stakeholders bring legislators and staff to visit the people and companies that raise and process the products grown in the state. This year’s food and farm tour…
Read MoreWheat College 2026
Unexpected neck surgery prevented the 2026 Wheat College keynote presenter from appearing in person, but growers were still able to take advantage of his knowledge as he zoomed in. Following coffee and doughnuts sponsored by the Graybeal Group, Dennis Pennington, the Michigan State University (MSU) Wheat Extension specialist, appeared virtually to talk about making many…
Read MoreFlouring
One of the most recognizable landmarks in the Palouse has been given a new lease on life, thanks to the community of Oakesdale, Wash., the Innovia Foundation, and the Port of Whitman County. The Port was awarded a $1 million Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) grant in January to fund critical improvements to the four-story,…
Read MoreDisease alert
Soilborne Wheat Mosaic Virus (SBWMV), a disease previously only found in Walla Walla County, has now been identified in multiple locations in Whitman County. Morgan Menaker, the Washington State University (WSU) Regional Extension agronomist for Whitman, Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, and Walla Walla counties, notified growers of the bad news at the Agricultural Marketing and Management…
Read MoreCrafting an excellent pour
In early August, the truth behind the catchy slogan, “No Barley, No Beer,” will be on full display at the GRAINMAKER Festival in Spokane, where the public will be able to sample craft beers made with Pacific Northwest Grain and interact with brewers. The next day, brewers will visit a dryland wheat and barley farm…
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