General
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…
Remembering why we farm
Lately, we’ve been hearing a lot of negative, doom-and-gloom talk, and to be fair, some of it is deserved. Costs are high, markets are unpredictable, and it can feel like farmers are constantly being squeezed from every direction. Still, agriculture has always had its ups and downs, and sometimes it’s…
The Catch (Part 2)
Editor’s Note: Part 1 of “The Catch” ran in the February 2026 issue of Wheat Life. That last day of harvest was marked by the cutting of the border between the families’ two fields. It was very early in the morning, earlier than usual, when Buck fired up his combine…
The Catch, Part 1
“Slow down, son. We want to get there in one piece,” John said to his grandson. “But Gramps, I’m barely going the speed limit,” replied Tommy, the driver of the old Buick. “We are getting close, and I don’t want to miss any of the sights,” John replied. “Johnny, nothing…
