Policy Process

NAWG’s strength comes from the grassroots – wheat growers across the country who research issues, set policy and educate policy makers in Washington, D.C., about how these issues affect our nation’s wheat farms.

All the work NAWG does is in conjunction with its 22 affiliated state associations. Though these state associations themselves vary in size, composition and resources, leaders from all of them come together to create a strong national organization.

How We Make Policy

NAWG’s policy comes up from the countryside through county committees, which send policy ideas and resolutions to state associations, which set their policy and bring priorities to the national association. Farmers who step up to represent their state associations on NAWG’s Board of Directors serve as the crucial link between individual wheat growers, the state organizations and the national organization in Washington, D.C.

Strategic Planning Process

As part of a long-term planning process undertaken in 2008, NAWG leadership established four strategic priorities for the organization:

  • Encouraging investment and innovation in U.S. wheat with the goal of increasing yields for U.S. wheat growers by 20 percent by 2018.
  • Increasing the focus on capturing the benefits of energy policy.
  • Improving risk management programs to support U.S. wheat growers, including federal farm policy, crop insurance and transportation policies.
  • Creating a unified voice supporting U.S. wheat, by working with U.S. Wheat Associates and other industry groups.

Resolutions

NAWG’s resolutions give direction to the NAWG officers on critical policy issues affecting wheat growers across the country. These resolutions, approved by NAWG policy committees and the NAWG Board of Directors, are the official policies of the organization.

Working in Washington

NAWG’s staff serves as the eyes and ears in Washington, D.C., for state wheat organizations, alerting them of pressing policy priorities before leaders on Capitol Hill and in the Administration. To further common policy goals, NAWG frequently works with other wheat chain organizations and in coalitions with associations and companies across the industry.

Wheat Awards

NAWG gives three categories of awards to Members of Congress, Administration officials and their staff members. They include:

Wheat Leader of the Year Award: given annually by NAWG to one Member of Congress based on his or her demonstrated commitment to the well-being and goals of the wheat industry.

Past winners of the Wheat Leaders of the Year Award include Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) (2011, 2008 and 2002); Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) (2010); Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) (2009 and 2007); Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.) (2006); Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.) (2005); Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) (2004); Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) (2003); Rep. Larry Combest (R-Texas) (2001); Rep. George Nethercutt (R-Wash.) (2000); and Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) (1999)

Wheat Advocate Award: given annually to Members of Congress who have demonstrated support for the wheat industry above and beyond the norm

Friend of Wheat Award: given annually by NAWG to Congressional administrative staff members who have demonstrated support for the wheat industry above and beyond the norm.

Learn more about recent recipients of NAWG’s awards below: