Harvest
Harvest 2025
The 2025 wheat harvest in Eastern Washington was a mixed bag. Winter wheat yields were average to above average in most locations with good quality. Unfortunately spring wheat yields were poor thanks to an unusually dry spring and summer. As the calendar turns over to October, harvest memories are already…
Brown and Ford Ranch, Walla Walla County
Scott Ford and his parents, Allen and Cheryl Ford, are the fifth and sixth generations to farm their family’s ground north of Walla Walla that was established right at the turn of the 20th century. They are 100% no-till and grow mostly winter wheat. “We’ve done some spring crops over…
Denny Land and Livestock, Spokane County
For Chad and Marie Denny, watching their son, Jon, begin his farming career highlights the importance of supporting the next generation. “I feel like we’re a bridge. We’re going to own it for a little while, and then it can move on to the next generation,” Marie explained. “It’s not…
Channel K Ranch, Garfield County
“In Garfield County, if you throw a rock, you are going to hit a Koller,” said Wyatt Koller with a laugh as he described how his great-grandparents, Richard and Ollie, arrived in the area and established the family’s farm after stints blacksmithing and working at a slaughterhouse. Wyatt’s grandfather, Edwin,…
Harvest 2024
By October, most of the year’s wheat crop has been harvested, and growers have swapped out combines and bank-out wagons for planters and seed drills. This year’s wheat harvest was slightly ahead of average in timing, according to National Agricultural Statistics Service numbers. Most producers reported average to slightly better…
The Heatons, Whitman County
Like many farm families in Eastern Washington, the Heaton family’s roots go back more than 100 years, when Julia and Joe Stark settled near Hay, Wash., in 1908. The Starks, with their two daughters, Marie and Alice, grew wheat and raised cattle and hogs along the Snake River above what…
The Tannebergs, Douglas County
Before Doug and Kelsey Tanneberg’s family settled near Mansfield in Douglas County, they hopscotched across the country, from Denmark to Minnesota to Davenport, Wash., beginning in the late 1800s. The desire to raise cattle prompted another move west to St. Andrews, Wash. “I said to my granddad, Jens, ‘Why did…
The Forgeys, Asotin County
Brad and Jody Forgey’s farm sits high above Asotin on Anatone Flats, where one can see for miles. The farm was started by Brad’s great-grandfather and passed through his grandfather and uncle to him. They grow wheat, barley, hay, alfalfa, and raise calves. This year, the Forgey’s harvest included the…
Caution. Crossing ahead
With harvest right around the corner, local officials are asking growers to be aware of load limits on county bridges when they are moving equipment. Bridges without a load limit sign typically have a weight limit of 80,000 pounds or 40 tons. “Just be careful what you drive your big…
Windy 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…
