Working for You

Each month we provide some key areas where MGGA leaders and staff have been working on your behalf. Here is a sampling of important issues and activities for October 2023:

*EVP Vergeront committed radio endorsements on KMON and digital marketing with Townsquare Media.

*VP Heilig sat down with Ryan Gamboa with KRTV to discuss drought and Convention and caught up with Russell Nemetz with Western Ag Network to discuss Farm Bill.

*NAWG Meetings-
• ERC met to recap Farm Bill Fly In meetings over the summer and discussed Herbicide Strategy and conservation ideas such as CRP.
• Monthly policy meeting discussed the upcoming Fall Conference in Cincinnati, CY2022 Disaster Aid and the challenges and delays with USDA rolling out programs.
• Budget Committee had a working session to review CY2025.
• Informational Briefing to discuss the current status of the Farm Bill. With the 2018 Farm Bill expired, most programs related to production in ag are ongoing and some permanently authorized, NAWG is discussing a short term farm bill that would allow lawmakers time to review and discuss all while the House of Representatives recently elected a new Speaker.

*EVP Vergeront, President Keane and Vice President Heilig met with the Montana Grains Foundation to discuss by laws, policies and procedures.

*Officers met to discuss upcoming board elections and by law review. Elections will take place at the beginning of November, be on the look out for a ballot in the mail box. There are
changes to by laws that will be reviewed at Convention also.

*EVP Vergeront attended the October Montana Wheat and Barley Committee Meeting in Great Falls. Vergeront gave an update on possible legislation regarding the committee, spoke
about Convention, Farm Bill and submitted grant proposals for National Association of Wheat Growers and National Barley Growers Association dues.

*EVP Vergeront and National Barley Growers Association VP Konen met with New Belgium to discuss farm programs.