NW Farmers Union Expanding, Holding Convention

The Northwest Farmers Union, which is the local chapter of the National Farmers Union, is holding their first standalone convention October 8^th in Walla Walla.

President Kent Wright said they did a combined convention last year with the Cattle Producers of Washington, but their membership has increased by 35 percent this year.

“We just thought it was about time that we were able to get out and really show what we can do by ourselves. We’re excited to let our membership see what we can do and have a lot of good folks all together at once.”

Wright is a graduate of the National Farmers Union’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher program which helped him start a cattle ranch in the St. John area.

The convention will feature several speakers and look to the membership for what the organization’s policy stances need to be according to Wright.

“We actually help form the national policy book with our policy book. We combine that with North Dakota, Montana, all the other state and regional organizations of National Farmers Union to make up the national book. So it’s important we have more producers out here helping us form our policy book so that way we can have a bigger effect on the national policy book.”

Wright said they will cover topics such as TPP, COOL and climate change impacts and laws.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail krounce@cherrycreekradio.com.