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Working for You

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 June 2020:
 

  • The MGGA Board of Directors met in early June by Zoom videoconference to conduct the business of the organization. Josh Tonsager, National Association of Wheat Growers Vice President of Policy and Communications, joined the call to provide an update on NAWG’s current issues and activities, including collaborations with other organizations around Covid-19, and congressional priorities for the upcoming months.

  • MGGA Vice President Mitch Konen and Executive Vice President Lola Raska participated in the summer virtual board meeting of the National Barley Growers Association. Buzz Mattelin, former director of the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee and current NBGA President, conducted the meeting. Directors received federal affairs updates and received supply and demand reports and outlook from Anheuser-Busch, MolsonCoors, Malteurop, Cargill Malt, the Beer Institute, Brewers Association, and the American Malting Barley Association. Bill Beam, FSA Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs, and Brad Karmen, FSA Assistant Deputy Administrator, joined the call to discuss malting barley eligibility for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.

  • Konen took part in a meeting of the NAWG Environment and Research Committee. Items discussed included the recent court decision and EPA action on dicamba, several glyphosate issues, and industry involvement in the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium.

  • MGGA had frequent communication with our national grower organizations, congressional offices and USDA, providing input and analysis on the eligibility of Montana crops for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).

  •  The Montana Wheat & Barley Committee held their summer board of directors meeting in June by videoconference. Joining the meeting as guests to discuss MSU’s process and fees for variety release were Doug Holen, MSU Foundation Seed Program Manager and Daniel Juliano, Director of MSU Technology Transfer.