Washington Association of Wheat Growers Congratulates Sonny Perdue on His Confirmation as USDA Secretary of Agriculture

    RITZVILLE, WA, April 28, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) is pleased to congratulate former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue on his confirmation as USDA Secretary of Agriculture this week.

"We are relieved that the position of Secretary of Agriculture is no longer vacant, and we look forward to working with Secretary Perdue to educate him about issues facing Pacific Northwest wheat growers," said Ben Adams, president of WAWG and a farmer from Coulee City, Wash. "We feel confident that with his agricultural background, Secretary Perdue will be a strong advocate for farmers during discussions on the next farm bill and on trade."

The ag secretary post was one of the last cabinet posts to be filled by President Trump, and the position was vacant when the president proposed his "skinny" budget that included a 21 percent reduction in USDA's discretionary funding. WAWG is hopeful Secretary Perdue will provide a reasoned, knowledgeable voice in future budget discussions and will speak out on behalf of the rural economy, farm service programs and conservation programs.

Pacific Northwest farmers are struggling in the wake of low commodity prices, rising input costs and the burden of increased regulations. Quality discounts in the 2016 harvest cost farmers millions of dollars, and now many of those same farmers are facing late planting penalties in crop insurance guarantees due to extremely wet weather this spring.

"More than ever, wheat farmers need a seat at the table to protect their livelihoods and to ensure they have enough tools in their toolboxes to weather rough times," Adams said. "Those tools include a strong crop insurance program, a farm bill that is responsive to farmers' needs and trade agreements that make U.S. wheat competitive on the world market."

About WAWG: Education and outreach are the heart of Washington Association of Wheat Growers 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. Visit wawg.org for more information

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