General
Franklin County grower roots life in community, ag involvement
“One person can make a difference,” exemplifies Walt Neff’s philosophy on determination to accomplish goals. The Neff family has a saying that accentuates what can be achieved by one determined person: “If you don’t think one individual can make a difference, you’ve never been in bed with a mosquito!” It’s…
Optimism in tough times
As I sit in the tractor cab writing this column, the hum of the air drill in the background, I can’t help but reflect on the season we just wrapped up. Harvest is done, and the grain is in the bin. On our farm, it turned out to be an…
Planting the seeds of ag literacy
Understanding where our food comes from is something every person should know — and something every child should be taught. That’s the heart of the mission behind Washington Ag in the Classroom (WAIC), a program I’m honored to be a part of. My name is Alisha Klein, and I serve…
Hope and hard work
Before Grand Coulee Dam made irrigation viable in the Columbia Basin in the 1950s, farmers struggled to grow food in what was, essentially, a desert. An exhibit at the Quincy Valley Historical Society and Museum (QVHSM), “Hope and Hard Work: The Story of Our Farms and Food,” highlights the story…
Prosser business uses local wheat to produce spirits
Making spirits from Washington wheat and agricultural products is a unique labor of love. It involves the careful cultivation of soft winter wheat, the creation of custom stills, a meticulous distillation process, and the infusion of the spirits with locally sourced botanicals and fruits. This process, which can take years,…
Precisely targeted
The Wilbur-Creston and Odessa school districts are putting the finishing touches on a new curriculum that gives students a leg up in today’s agricultural industry. Students got a taste of the training on offer at a precision ag field day in May at Weismil Farms north of Odessa. The idea…
Highlights from my Olympia Days trip
My experience as a Washington wheat growers ambassador during the Olympia Legislative Days was more than I could have ever hoped. I was able to meet so many new people, from the other wheat growers that were with me to the government officials we met with. My favorite part was…
From selling the future to farming with it
Before I returned to the family farm full time, I had a short but impactful detour that shaped the way I approach agriculture today. Fresh out of college with a degree in business and communications, I landed a job at Odessa Trading Company selling precision ag equipment. At the time,…
My Olympia Days experience
Before the Olympia Days trip, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I knew we would be meeting with legislators, talking about issues that matter to our communities, and learning more about how the state government works. Not only did I learn more about how the government works, but the…
Grower involvement matters
In the midst of global uncertainty, volatile markets, shifting regulations, and a growing disconnect between consumers and producers, there’s one thing I believe more than ever: grower involvement matters. It matters because our voices are needed now more than ever. Farming communities are shrinking. Many small and mid-sized operations have…
