Posts by Trista Crossley
A shot in the funding arm
In late September, the Palouse River and Coulee City (PCC) short-line rail system got a major shot in the funding arm when the Federal Railroad Administration announced it would receive $72.8 million through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program. “It will be transformative in terms of the level of investment that’s being…
Read MoreFuel workgroup winds down
In September, the Washington State Department of Ecology’s (Ecology) Fuel Exemptions Workgroup wrapped up four months of work. Whether it was successful or not might depend on who you are talking to. Washington State’s Climate Commitment Act, which includes a cap-and-invest program, went into effect in January 2023 and requires covered entities that meet a…
Read MoreSteward Farms, Lincoln County
In Lincoln County, Josh and Katie Steward’s dream of establishing their first generation wheat farm has become a reality. It remains to be seen if it’s a dream shared by their children: Jack, 12; Sadie, 9; and Gracie, 4. “This was Katie and mine’s dream,” explained Josh. “If they don’t want to do it, can…
Read MoreLambert Farms, Columbia County
Mark and Brett Lambert are the fourth and fifth generations, respectively, to farm their family’s land near Dayton, Wash. They grow mostly dryland wheat, chickpeas, peas, alfalfa, and some cattle. They use direct seeding and no-till practices as much as possible. “I feel blessed with the opportunity to have such a wonderful thing passed down…
Read MoreWindy Hill Ranch, Adams County
Speaking to Reid Phillips about his family’s farm, Windy Hill Ranch, it’s obvious how profoundly proud he is to be able to pass it to his son, Palmer. “It takes more than one generation to make a successful family farm or any farming operation,” Reid said. “You have to have a strong commitment. We have…
Read MoreDelving into the dams
In an effort to show, not just tell, the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, along with other industry stakeholders, brought 15 federal legislative staffers to Lewiston, Idaho, in August to showcase the lower Snake River dams and the critical services they provide to the Pacific Northwest. “We appreciate those staffers who took the time to…
Read MoreHarvest 2023
For thousands of Washington wheat farmers, the 2023 harvest has wrapped up, and they are deep into seeding next year’s winter wheat crop. This year’s harvest came early and went fast. Most producers reported average to below-average yields with average quality. Producers north of Highway 2 battled snow mold issues, while hot, dry weather across…
Read MoreVital link in transportation chain is largely unseen by farmers
Captain Jeremy Nielsen’s role in the transportation chain that takes wheat to market is mostly unseen to farmers, but without him, their grain would be dead in the water. Nielsen is a river pilot, responsible for navigating ocean-going vessels through the lower Columbia River. Using a ladder on the outside of the ship, river pilots…
Read MoreSocial Security, Medicare: Tips for navigating the system
For anybody, including farmers, approaching the traditional retirement age, social security and Medicare begin looming large on the horizon. These large government programs can seem overwhelming and confusing to navigate, leaving one wondering where to start. “Navigating is an appropriate term as it can feel like you’re a bit lost in the system,” said Jordan…
Read MoreInsurance woes
Elevators across Eastern Washington are suddenly finding it hard to insure parts of their structures regardless of condition, and if they do find insurance, the price is sky high. Palouse Grain Growers Manager Mike Bagott said they were unable to renew the insurance on their wooden crib elevator through their traditional insurance company, despite recently…
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