Making introductions WAWG's new conservation coordinator to be a connection between growers, NRCS

As a Whitman County native, I grew up spending countless hours helping around our family’s dryland wheat operation. From driving harvest truck, picking rye and rocks out of the field with my brother, and helping flag machinery when we moved from place to place, I was blessed to have had the opportunity to experience such an amazing childhood on the farm. I remember riding in the combine with my dad and grandpa and cherished times gathering with the harvest crew at lunchtime for the most amazing homemade meals that my mom and grandmother spent countless hours preparing. It was truly a wonderful way of life that I wouldn’t change for anything. 

Fast forward to life now. My husband, who also grew up on a dryland wheat farm outside of Pomeroy, and I have three kids of our own, live on some acreage in Kennewick, raise 4-H steers for our local fairs, and are working hard to instill the same work ethic and morals that we both grew up learning.  

When I heard about the conservation coordinator position with the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG), I was immediately intrigued by the opportunity it offered to help serve the farmers that helped me get where I am today. Four months into the role, I can tell you that I’ve made strides meeting with our growers and reconnecting with those I’ve worked with throughout my career. Throughout the month of June, I managed to rack up 1,200 miles traveling throughout Eastern Washington for crop tours, including Lind, Fairfield, Walla Walla, Connell, and the Horse Heaven Hills. In addition to crop tours, I’ve made it a priority to introduce myself and start to build relationships with several of the East Area Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office staff and Conservation District staff. 

Now that harvest is in full swing and crop tours are over, I’ve taken time to sit back and set some goals for this fall. I plan to attend grower meetings to not only meet our producers face-to-face, but to also gather feedback regarding NRCS programs in hopes of sharing it with those individuals in charge of updating existing guidelines. Having spoken with our state NRCS leadership team, I assure you there is a desire and interest for feedback from you, our growers. 

My role is such a unique opportunity as a liaison between our growers and NRCS. I’m excited to help increase awareness among our growers of the opportunities offered through NRCS. While the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) funds are available, let’s work together to share our thoughts and feedback with our NRCS counterparts on how things are working for our growers. I am asking that you keep this in the back of your mind while you’re making passes around the field this summer and fall. Given all the logistics of harvest and fall work, I know this isn’t going to be at the forefront of your mind, but if we want change, it needs to come from you, our growers at the grassroots level.  If there is new equipment you are currently utilizing or would like to utilize, please let me know. If there are conservation-related practices that you’re currently implementing, shoot me the details. Our growers are some of the most innovative in the nation, and the technology that is being utilized in the field is second to none. 

Later this year please keep your eyes open for a survey arriving in your inbox that will focus on conservation practices, funding, etc. We all know time is precious, and no one really wants to see another survey pop up in their inbox. However, the results of this survey provide an opportunity for your voices to be heard in an effort for positive change. 

Thank you again to Roylene Comes At Night, NRCS state conservationist, and Michelle Hennings, WAWG’s executive director, for collaborating to make this position a reality. I’m excited for the opportunity I’ve been given to assist our growers and look forward to meeting more of you. I’m only a phone call or an email away to help answer your conservation-related questions, and I look forward to working hard to assist and support our wheat growers. You can reach me at (509) 659-0610 or andrea@wawg.org.