Wheat Organizations Gather in Washington, DC
Farmer leaders of U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are meeting in Washington, DC, Jan. 23 to 26, 2024, for a joint board of directors meeting. Activities included a plenary policy session, separate meetings with members of Congress, and consideration of USW’s producer-funded operating budget for fiscal year 2024/25.
At the policy session, USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Alexis Taylor expressed excitement about seven U.S. agricultural trade missions planned for 2024 including the first to Angola in which USW Vice Chairman Clarke Hamilton will participate. Legislative staff for U.S. House of Representatives members of the congressional agricultural trade caucus said there is more support in Congress now for increasing export market development investments in farm legislation.
Alexis Taylor (left), USDA Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agriculture, did a question/answer session with USW Vice President of Policy Dalton Henry during a USW and NAWG joint policy session Jan. 24.
Congressional Leaders
The Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and the Ranking Member Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas met with NAWG directors to discuss progress on the “Farm Bill” legislation that is currently being considered in Congress. There is much to do, they said, but reconfirmed their commitment to work together to pass the bill as soon as possible.
NAWG CEO Chandler Goule (left) moderated a panel discussion with Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Sen. John Boozeman, leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee during the NAWG session Jan. 25.
On Friday, Jan. 25, USW farmer directors will elect officers for FY 2024/25. Gary Millershaski, a USW director and Kansas Wheat Commission member, has been nominated to stand for election as 2024/25 Secretary-Treasurer.
USW will share a video report from the joint board meeting the week of Jan. 29.
