Week of February 26, 2024
A busy week as we divided responsibilities to cover coinciding events for the Commission and League.
The Commission hosted the annual growers workshop in Portland. I joined for the first portion of the day to provide an overview of the Commission and League, before departing for the National Association of Wheat Growers annual meeting in Houston- held in conjunction with Commodity Classic. In addition to NAWG Board activities which included passing annual resolutions and priorities for the association, the week included a celebration of outgoing NAWG President Brent Cheyne, honoring national wheat yield contest winners and engaging in panels on the Farm Bill and agency issues. On the state side, the legislature passed the second chamber work session deadline this week, turning another corner as we near the end of session. In addition, I met with US Wheat Associates staff regarding an update to the ‘state resource guide’ used in our work with the foreign offices and trade teams. I met with the U.S. DOT Volpe Center and USDA as they work on an update to their report on the Importance of Inland Waterways to U.S. Agriculture. On the administrative end, I executed the agreement for Commission auditing services and met with them virtually this week.
Week of February 19, 2024
County meeting season continued with the Union/Baker wheat producers meeting this week. The State Legislative Session turned the corner, marking the passage of the halfway point. Among other actions, the ‘canola bill’ (HB 4059 extending the 500-acre limit in the Willamette Valley) passed on party lines out of the House. I attended the Oregon Farm Services Agency State Committee meeting and presented the League’s Farm Bill priorities. The final 2024 Preferred Variety Brochure is published and posted on our website. I have signed an updated Letter of intent with OSU Foundation on the Cereal Grains Pathology Endowment, following a tremendous commitment from Dean Simonich for matching funds.
Week of February 12, 2024
The Commission met for the annual research review, conducting the initial assessment for consideration in funding projects for the next fiscal year. The full meeting included an update on the river system and trade. Among other items, actions included approval on the cereal grains pathology endowment agreement, approval of CBARC funding reallocation to support rehabilitation of the greenhouse in Pendleton, and authorization to enter into an agreement with an audit firm. We also enjoyed a tour of the renovated and expanded cereal quality lab. As is tradition, this week the League hosted Oregon Wheat Day at the State Capitol on Oregon’s Birthday, meeting with leadership during week two of the state legislative session. Among other items, we joined a coalition support letter for the Elk Damage Pilot Program bill. The remainder of the week was spent on operational items, including a meeting with the state’s Department of Administrative Services.
Week of February 5, 2024
Start of the state legislative session, with our lobby team actively working on priority bills at a fast clip. The Foundation Board met, providing approval of the FY 24/25 budget, discussing fundraising activities. and approving award for the full 12 available scholarships this year. The League officers met, with approval on a support letter for a producer issue in Umatilla County and pursuing clarification on an item with RMA. We hosted the Morrow County wheat growers member meeting, I attended an ag reception with Oregon State University and I participated in the advisory meeting for the wheat microbiome project. NAWG held committee meetings this week to review expiring resolutions in advance of the annual meeting. I submitted a comment letter to EPA on their request for comments on the use and usage of treated seed. Organizational items included preparation for upcoming Commission meetings, review on facilities and conducting a staff evaluation.