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ARLINGTON, VA — U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are pleased that U.S. wheat growers now have the opportunity to increase global food assistance and expand export market access under new USDA funding programs announced Oct. 24, 2023. USW and NAWG thank Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for releasing the new funds that will directly benefit U.S. wheat farmers and their overseas customers. Additionally, we thank Senators Stabenow (D-MI) and Boozman (R-AR) for their August 28 letter to Secretary Vilsack formally requesting additional support for trade promotion and food assistance.

Food Assistance

U.S. wheat farmers have been partners in U.S. food assistance programs for more than 60 years and take pride in sharing their harvest to address critical hunger needs around the world. Through the USDA’s Food for Progress and USAID Food for Peace programs, the American people have donated more than one million metric tons of wheat annually for the past three years.

“Additional funding for food assistance programs will help address the most urgent humanitarian needs in a generation. USW and NAWG look forward to working with USDA and other partners to ensure additional food donations generate the most benefit where it is needed most,” said NAWG President Brent Cheyne. “As NAWG works with Congress to reauthorize the Farm Bill, we continue to advocate for strengthening the in-kind commodity donation program and additional investments in the existing trade promotion programs.”

Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) addresses the media while holding a U.S. Food Aid sack with and Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) during a press conference announcing the introduction of the American Farmers Feed the World Act 2023.

Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) addresses the media with Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) during a press conference announcing the introduction of the American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023.

Export Market Development

Organizations like USW that participate in USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) export market development programs were very encouraged when the Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) program was established in 2019 as part of a program to ease the effects of trade retaliation against U.S. farmers and exporters. Those funds originated from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and FAS awarded grants to almost 60 cooperating organizations to be invested by 2024.

“USW demonstrated that the additional funding helped us protect crucial wheat export sales in established markets and build a base for growth in new markets,” said USW Chairman and Oklahoma wheat farmer Michael Peters. “We appreciate the introduction of the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), and the USW team will work very hard to use it effectively. Looking ahead, global wheat trade is increasingly competitive and market development takes time and consistency. That’s why we believe that in the long-term, increases for established Farm Bill export development programs are the best way forward.”

Detailed information about USDA FAS export market development programs and funding is available at www.AgExportsCount.com.

All across its supply chain, U.S. wheat depends on the successful public-private partnership between USW’s state wheat commission members and USDA FAS export market development programs. Checkoff contributions qualify USW to apply for matching funds through programs like the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program.

Under U.S. farm legislation, Congress apportions funding for MAP, FMD and other export programs. Annual funding for MAP has not changed from $200 million since 2006 and annual FMD funding of $34.5 million has not changed since 2002, yet other countries have significantly ramped up their export promotion spending.

“Study after study has shown that these programs consistently meet their purpose to boost agricultural export volume and revenue while supporting the entire U.S. economy, and the benefits grow with additional funding,” Peters said.

For more information about the benefits of FAS export market development programs visit www.AgExportsCount.com.

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ARLINGTON, Virginia — U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) today thank Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) for introduction of the American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 in the U.S. Senate. The bi-partisan legislation would restore the original intent of the Food for Peace program without spending additional Farm Bill resources, while also safeguarding the interests of hard-working American farmers in providing food to those in need around the world.

USW and NAWG have joined the broader agriculture industry in backing the legislation, seeing it as an effort to use U.S.-grown commodities to fight global hunger rather than spending American taxpayers’ dollars to purchase food from competitors of the U.S. wheat industry.

“It is exciting to see the Senate join the House in supporting the role of U.S. farmers in the Farm Bill’s international food aid programs,” said USW Director of Trade policy Peter Laudeman. “The American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 offers an important rebalancing to ensure that Food for Peace remains focused on effectively delivering as much American-grown food to as many people in need as possible. We certainly want to offer a huge thank you to Senator Braun, Senator Tester, Senator Marshall, and Senator Rickets for championing this important bill.”

USW Board Member and Montana wheat farmer Denise Conover said using U.S. wheat to feed those in need across the world is a story that resonates strongly with every farmer.

“As a Montana wheat farmer, I am incredibly proud of the role my farm plays in supporting international food aid programs,” said Conover. “I am pleased to see Senator Tester leading this important bill to ensure that American farmers continue to play this vital role in the Food for Peace program, feeding more Montana wheat to more hungry people at no additional taxpayer cost.”

The American Farmers Feed the World Act empowers American wheat farmers to share their harvest and contribute to the global battle against hunger, Brent Cheyne, President of NAWG and a wheat farmer from Oregon, said.

“Wheat, a vital staple grain accounting for approximately 20 percent of global calorie consumption, receives its highest quality from U.S. wheat farmers, making it an essential resource in nourishing the world,” Cheyne added. “We’ve observed a shift away from utilizing American commodities in food aid programs over the years, which has resulted in diminished transparency, accountability, and bipartisan backing. As Congress considers reauthorizing the Farm Bill later this year, this legislation provides an opportunity to revitalize the role of American agriculture in addressing global hunger.”

Brian Linin, a Goodland, Kansas, wheat farmer who also serves on the USW Board and the USW/NAWG Food Aid Working Group Committee, said wheat farmers in Kansas and across the country have a long history of supporting international food aid.

“Our nation, and those in need, benefit most directly and transparently from receiving American commodities instead of cash and vouchers,” Linin said.

The American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 was introduced in the U.S. House on June 22. USW and NAWG have worked with a coalition of other agriculture groups to advance this legislation through the upcoming new Farm Bill.

 

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Washington, D.C. (February 16, 2023) – As Congress gears up for Farm Bill reauthorization, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) are announcing advocacy tools and resources to engage with their legislators on the Expanding Agricultural Exports Act (S. 176) and Agriculture Export Promotion Act (H.R. 648), which the wheat industry welcomed. Because half of the wheat grown in the United States is exported, wheat growers have a deep understanding of the importance of trade and market development.

Earlier this month, lawmakers introduced this bipartisan and bicameral legislation that would strengthen the effectiveness of the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development program (FMD). MAP’s authorized funding has not changed since 2006 and FMD funding has remained the same since 2002, so inflation and sequestration have significantly eroded the ability to compete with other countries who are steadily investing more in their agricultural export promotion efforts.

Double Funding

If enacted, this legislation would double funding for these agricultural export market development programs administered by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). The Expanding Agricultural Exports Act was originally introduced by Senators Angus King (ME), Tina Smith (MN), Joni Ernst (IA), Chuck Grassley (IA) and Susan Collins (ME). The Agriculture Export Promotion Act was originally introduced by Representatives Dan Newhouse (WA), Jim Costa (CA), Tracey Mann (KS), Kim Schrier (WA), Ashley Hinson (IA), Jimmy Panetta (CA), Brad Finstad (MN) and Chellie Pingree (ME).

The wheat industry applauds Congress’s efforts to invest in these crucial programs. To highlight the importance of enacting this legislation, NAWG launched a grassroots campaign to help wheat growers encourage their Members of Congress to support these legislative efforts and have them included as part of the 2023 Farm Bill. Individuals can click here to participate in our grassroots advocacy campaign. Wheat growers are strongly encouraged to participate in the campaign to let their Members of Congress know how vital supporting these marker bills are to advancing agricultural exports.

Grateful to NAWG

“We are grateful for the work being done in Congress to lay the foundation for a strong 2023 Farm Bill that invests in programs that promote U.S. wheat and other agricultural products,” said NAWG President and Washington wheat farmer, Nicole Berg. “However, even with these marker bills that invest in the MAP and FMD program, we still have a long way to go in educating Members of Congress on why these resources are needed. We need wheat growers to help spread the word and tell the story of why this programmatic investment is necessary and how it would help grow our national economy. The campaign makes it easy for growers to contact their legislators, which truly makes a difference in how these decisions are made and votes are cast. I hope all growers participate, so our voices are heard loud and clear on Capitol Hill.”

“Our organization wants to thank our friends at NAWG for focusing on the need to increase MAP and FMD funding in the next farm bill,” said Rhonda K. Larson, USW Chair and a wheat farmer from East Grand Forks, Minn. “Studies have shown that the return on investment from MAP, FMD is very strong – but our activities overseas and impact are limited today by the erosion of these resources over time.”

recent econometric study conducted by agricultural economists at IHS Market and Texas A&M University predicted that doubling funding for these programs would generate an additional $44.4 billion in U.S. agricultural exports over the 2024 to 2029 time period. This would directly benefit farmers, livestock producers, dairy operators and small businesses as they work to maintain and expand their global presence. Read more at www.AgExportsCount.org.

The Agriculture Export Promotion Act must now be considered by the Senate Agriculture Committee and House Agriculture Committee.

Wheat growers can participate in the campaign on the NAWG website. Fill out your information and click submit; a letter will automatically be sent to your two senators and representative.

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About the National Association of Wheat Growers. NAWG is the primary policy representative in Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry, and the general public. NAWG works with a team of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at the national level. From their offices in the Wheat Growers Building on Capitol Hill, NAWG’s staff members are in constant contact with state association representatives, NAWG grower leaders, Members of Congress, Congressional staff members, Administration officials, and the public.

About U.S. Wheat Associates. USW’s mission is to develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers in more than 100 countries. Its activities are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. For more information, visit our website at www.uswheat.org.

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ARLINGTON, Virginia — U.S. wheat growers have a long history of recognizing the value of export market development by supporting the successful public-private partnership with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). That is why U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) welcome the introduction of the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports (CREAATE) Act of 2022 in the U.S. Senate.

This legislation, introduced by Senators Tina Smith (MN), Angus King (ME), Joni Ernst (IA), and Charles Grassley (IA), would double funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program, agricultural export market development programs administered by FAS.

Each year, wheat growers contribute a portion of their wheat sales which qualifies USW to apply for MAP and FMD program funds along with more than 60 other U.S. agricultural export promotion organizations. Unfortunately, inflation, sequestration and administrative costs have sapped the value of the program funds over many years.

“MAP funding has not been increased from $200 million since 2006 and FMD funding has not changed from $34.5 million since 2002, but our foreign competition in most global markets including wheat has grown,” said USW Chairperson Rhonda K. Larson, a wheat grower from East Grand Forks, N.D. “To manage that challenge over the years, USW has closed offices and reduced staff to protect wheat export demand in our top markets. With additional MAP and FMD funds, we could expand our promotion effort to more commercial markets.”

A USDA chart showing the market share by country of global wheat trade over 20 years through 2021

Competitive Squeeze. Over the past 14 years, competition in the global wheat trade has increased. This data from USDA shows dramatic growth in market share for Russia primarily but data from the “Rest of the World” indicates more new competitors and promotional efforts.

USW also uses MAP and FMD funding to enable greater use of U.S. wheat in food aid programs that have taken on increased significance with the disruption of global wheat trade by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“Our food aid programs are the best suited for U.S. wheat to help support the humanitarian needs of those affected by the conflict and for on-going food insecurity,” said Nicole Berg, NAWG President and a wheat grower from Paterson, Wash. “Looking ahead to the 2023 Farm Bill legislation, our food aid programs must receive continued support and MAP and FMD programs dollars must be enhanced to support the effort to promote U.S. wheat and other agricultural products.”

A recent econometric study conducted by agricultural economists at IHS Market and Texas A&M University predicted that doubling funding for these programs would generate an additional $44.4 billion in U.S. agricultural exports over the 2024 to 2029 time period. This would directly benefit farmers, livestock producers, dairy operators and small businesses as they work to maintain and expand their global presence. Read more at www.AgExportsCount.org.

The CREAATE legislation must now be considered by the Senate Agriculture Committee.

The U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) mission is to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers.” USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. USW maintains 15 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six U.S. wheat classes. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org.

NAWG is the primary policy representative in Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry and the general public. NAWG works with a team of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at the national level. From their offices on Capitol Hill, NAWG’s staff members are in constant contact with state association representatives, NAWG grower leaders, Members of Congress, Congressional staff members, Administration officials and the public.

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