USDA Deputy Secretary Censky to Deliver Keynote Address at Tri-State Grain Growers Convention in Spokane, WA

    SPOKANE, WA, November 13, 2019 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The 2019 Tri-State Grain Growers Convention is soon to kick off in Spokane, Wash., Nov. 13-16 at the Davenport Grand Hotel. Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky, second in command at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is scheduled to deliver one of the keynote addresses during the four-day event.

"Stephen Censky will be the highest ranking U.S. official to deliver a keynote address," said Michelle Hennings, Washington Association of Wheat Growers executive director. "Deputy Secretary Censky is well versed in modern food production and plays a critical role in shaping U.S. food and agriculture policy. We are excited to welcome him to the Pacific Northwest."

The convention will feature other keynote speakers to educate and entertain convention attendees. National commodity organizations will be represented on a panel discussion moderated by Agri-Pulse's Philip Brasher. Geopolitical strategist Peter Zeihan, storyteller Jim Morris and meteorologist Mark Peterson round out the line-up of speakers. A well-rounded list of break-out sessions can also be found on the agenda. Topics include market outlooks, crop rotations, herbicide resistance the future of ag policy, and many more.

All three state organizations will hold annual meetings during the convention where members will have the opportunity to review and provide input into the respective organizations' resolutions. These resolutions shape and direct each organization's course for the coming year. Each state will also hold a banquet to recognize members' contributions to the industry over the past year. A highlight of the convention is the annual dinner and auctions. Entertainment is to be provided by Chad Prather, the event emcee.

Nearly a year's worth of planning, organizing and work by the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, the Idaho Grain Producers Association and the Oregon Wheat Growers League goes into the annual event. More information on the 2019 Tri-State Grain Growers Convention can be found at www.wawg.org/convention.

About WAWG: Education and outreach are the heart of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers activity, all of which are 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. For more information on this or other related issues, please contact Michelle Hennings, Executive Director of Washington Association of Wheat Growers at, 509-659-0610, [email protected]

About Idaho Grain: The Idaho Grain Producers Association (IGPA) is the key policy advocacy organization working on behalf of Idaho's grain industry with local, state, and federal leaders. View recent news, updates, our senator and congressmen news releases, and sources for agricultural news. 821 West State Street, Boise, Idaho 83702-5832 (208) 345-0706 [email protected] Matt Mosman, President|C – 208.874.2746 | E-mail: [email protected]

About Oregon Wheat: The Oregon Wheat Commission and the Oregon Wheat Growers League will cooperate to enhance the profitability of Oregon wheat growers by communicating with and educating ourselves and the public; assuring markets; and conducting and stimulating research. OWGL will be politically proactive and work to strengthen our organizations and our industry. OREGON WHEAT GROWERS LEAGUE OR WPAC & Oregon Wheat Foundation |115 SE 8th Street Pendleton, OR 97801| Phone: 541-276-7330 | [email protected] BLAKE ROWE, CEO

About: Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Censky |Mr. Censky is the Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He was sworn-in on October 11, 2017, after being unanimously confirmed by the Senate. Mr. Censky previously served for the past 21 years as CEO of the American Soybean Association, a national, not-for-profit trade association that represents United States soybean farmers on policy and trade. Mr. Censky began his career working as a legislative assistant for Senator Jim Abdnor (R-SD). Later he served in both the Reagan and George H. W. Bush Administrations at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, eventually serving as Administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service where he was involved in running our nation's export programs. Mr. Censky received his B.S. in Agriculture from South Dakota State University and his Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture Science from the University of Melbourne, Australia. He grew up on a soybean, corn, and diversified livestock farm near Jackson, Minnesota. He and his wife Carmen have two daughters. Office: (202) 720-6052

# # #