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WAWG to Participate in Annual Advocacy Meetings in Olympia by WAWG Press Release Digital Journal, January 18, 2018

Protecting Growers' Abilities to Farm in Washington

RITZVILLE, WA -- A contingency of Washington Association of Wheat Growers members are soon headed to our state capitol to discuss their 2018 priorities with Gov. Jay Inslee, legislators and agency staff. The association will also host a legislative reception as part of their annual legislative efforts in Olympia.

"Our association is committed to work alongside legislators and state agencies in order to protect the Washington wheat industry and our grower members. We understand budget concerns, but we need to make sure that any clean air or clean water policies do not affect our ability to farm. We also need to retain all food and farm-related tax incentives, as they are a long-term state investment into the agricultural industry," said Marci Green, president of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers and a wheat farmer from Spokane County.

During their visit, the wheat growers will meet with more than 50 legislators and agency heads from both sides of the aisle. The association's other priorities include protecting the Snake River dams, finding a permanent fix to the Hirst decision, and advocating for funding for Washington State University's new plant sciences building and animal health building on the Pullman campus.

"One of our top responsibilities is advocating for our growers' right to make a living growing a wheat crop," said Michelle Hennings, executive director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers. "This is an excellent opportunity for farmers and legislators to sit face to face to discuss potential regulations and their impacts on the agricultural industry. Personal connections are key, so I want to thank those members who are taking time away from their farms to travel to Olympia to tell their story."

Education and outreach are the heart of WAWG activity, all of which is aimed at helping Washington wheat families. Since 1954, WAWG has been dedicated to the enrichment of the Washington wheat industry as a nonprofit trade association, which depends on volunteers, membership dues and donations to carry out activities as representatives on the state and national levels. WAWG monitors state, transportation, research and natural resources policy and partners with the National Association of Wheat Growers to monitor national farm policy.