Good afternoon, NAWG members,
As members of Congress return home for the August recess, we encourage state associations and wheat growers to use this opportunity to meet with lawmakers and their staff, attend local events, and reinforce the priorities affecting wheat producers across the country.
Attached is NAWG’s August Congressional Recess Policy Briefing, which includes background information, key messages, suggested asks, and talking points on:
- The current farm economy in wheat country;
- Farm Bill development and implementation;
- The permanent transfer of Food for Peace to USDA;
- FY2027 agriculture appropriations and wheat research funding;
- Trade, tariffs, and agricultural input costs;
- Wheat nutrition and the development of an ultra-processed foods definition;
- Crop protection tools and science-based pesticide regulation;
- Glyphosate and pre-harvest weed-control practices; and
- Newly registered herbicide technologies.
The document is intended to serve as a resource for meetings with members of Congress, congressional staff, USDA officials, and other policymakers. Please feel free to tailor the talking points to reflect the specific conditions and priorities in your state. When possible, we encourage growers to share personal examples of how low prices, elevated production costs, weather challenges, market uncertainty, or federal policy decisions are affecting their operations.
Please keep NAWG staff informed of any meetings held during the recess, as well as any questions, feedback, or follow-up requests you receive from congressional offices. This information will help us coordinate our national advocacy efforts and ensure timely follow-up from Washington.