Updates from inside and outside ongoing efforts to grow wheat exports will be front and center during the Joint Winter Board Meeting of U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG in Washington, D.C. from January 26 to 29, 2026.

USW’s portion of the meeting will include a look at the upcoming year from the perspective of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Those attending the USW Board of Directors meeting on January 29 will hear directly from FAS Administrator Dan Whitley, who is expected to provide insights on USDA operations overseas and emerging international markets.

Attendees will also hear about important markets in South and Southeast Asia during a presentation by USW’s Joe Bippert, who was recently promoted to regional director for USW’s South and Southeast Asia Region. Bippert, who has been serving as assistant regional director, will assume the new role this spring. Based in USW’s Manila Office, Bippert has been involved in USW’s work in the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Bangladesh.

The evening before the USW Board of Directors meeting, wheat farmers and industry partners will gather in the Russell Senate Building for the annual “Wheat 101” event, a National Wheat Foundation event that features an educational opportunity for members of Congress and their staff.