General
Meet Peanut
Peanut, a ranch horse that’s afraid of cows, could soon give wheat a run for its money as Eastern Washington’s most favored export — at least for children. SaDonna Heathman and her husband, Lee, own Heathman Farms north of Hartline, Wash. They currently grow wheat and canola, but spent many…
Farmers looking out for farmers
I am proud and happy to be part of one of the greatest industries with such a vast and welcoming community. One of the things I appreciate most about agriculture is that no matter where you travel in the world, you can find a fellow farmer, and when you do,…
Your membership facilitates our work
This month, I’d like to talk about membership in the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG), and why it is so important for wheat growers, landowners, and industry stakeholders. The decisions being made today will determine what the next generation inherits. As active members, we help shape the future of…
Flouring
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…
A 6-month perspective
I first want to wish all wheat farmers a safe and bountiful harvest. As I reflect on my first six months as president of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG), I want to thank all of the previous presidents for the time and dedication they invested while moving through…
One call to rule them all
Do you know what’s buried beneath that field of wheat on the back 40? It could be nothing, or it could be a large pipe full of pressurized natural gas, and the only way to be sure is to call 811 before you do any digging. “There’s a lot of…
Former wheat ambassador provides global supply chain risk intelligence
Most folks raised in Washington wheat country live their entire lives without becoming seasoned world travelers. Matthew Warren, born and raised in Dayton, Wash., exemplifies the polar opposite of that. Warren graduated from Dayton High School in 2014 and wasted no time in moving across the U.S. to Columbia, S.C….
Don’t overlook mental health wellness
This month’s column, focusing on mental health in agriculture, is a bit of a challenge to tackle. It’s a crucial issue that we should all be mindful of, especially given the current state of the industry. It’s important for us to look after our own mental well-being and support our…
Sprouting an interest
Returning to her family’s Whitman County farm may not have been in the cards for Carrie Bellecourt, but she’s found a way to honor her background by sharing her wheat-growing knowledge with her first-grade classes. Bellecourt grew up in Steptoe, Wash., the daughter of Jim and Cathy White. Jim was…
North Carolinian brings unique experience to Eastern Washington
Coming from a region of rolling hills where soft red wheat dominates and annual rainfall averages 45 inches, Morgan Menaker admits he experienced some culture shock upon arriving in Eastern Washington. “The first time I came to Pullman for my in-person interview, driving south of Spokane into Whitman County was…
