Like the early 1900s aerial tramway it depicted, a 30-year-old mural on the side of the Douglas County Museum in Waterville, Wash., was in danger of fading into obscurity. But over the past summer, it got more than just a facelift, thanks to local artist Don Nutt. “The mural had…
The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) staff are putting the finishing touches on the 2026 Agricultural Management and Marketing Organization’s (AMMO) schedule, which will kick off at the end of this month with sessions on herbicide resistance and financial matters in down times. AMMO has been a mainstay of…
In an attempt to clear the air over agriculture and water quality, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) convened the first meeting of the Ag and Water Quality Advisory Committee in March 2014 under then-director Maia Bellon. More than 10 years and three directors later, the committee is still…
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a farmer tries to navigate the maze of state and federal politics, you are in the right place. Working in Olympia and Washington, D.C., has taught me that the distance between a farm and lawmakers is far greater than the miles on a…
You have a unique vision for your retirement. Whatever that vision is, proactive planning is the first step toward helping bring it to life. Unfortunately, more than half of adults feel they’re behind on retirement planning. The truth is, the sooner you start planning and saving for your retirement, the…
Last month, Washington wheat growers gathered at the Coeur d’Alene Resort in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to celebrate the state’s small grain industry and the people that make it grow. “We had a great turnout this year,” said Michelle Hennings, executive director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG). “We…
This article is my last one covering marketing basics before we put everything together to develop a marketing plan. Unfortunately, it covers a difficult subject that is hard to cover in a short article. First, what is a minimum pricing contract (MPC)? It is a marketing tool that combines a…
A major goal of the annual convention is to provide growers with updates and educational opportunities through the breakout sessions. Here’s a short summary of some of those sessions. Dams update Adam Ratliff, director of the Center for Sustainability and Working Rivers, spoke about recent developments surrounding the lower Snake…
Having been raised in rural Montana wheat country, it’s probably not surprising that Brad Wiley ended up with a career in the grain industry. Wiley is the foreman of HighLine Grain Growers’ shuttle train loading facility in Four Lakes, Wash. He traveled a circuitous route in his career before joining…
Last month, more than 40 growers attended a workshop at the William A. Grant Water and Environmental Center in Walla Walla, Wash., focused on the Endangered Species Act and pesticide labels. Attendees participated in activities designed to encourage conversation and generate information to inform the national conversation around pesticide labeling. Participants…
