Washington wheat growers select new 2021 ambassadors

DAVENPORT – Grace Hanning and Julia Klein have been selected to represent Washington wheat farmers as ambassadors for the upcoming year.

The two high school seniors were selected after a written application process that included submitting a short introductory video. The ambassadors will represent Washington wheat farmers at various civic and community events and will also participate in an advocacy trip to Olympia with Washington Association of Wheat Growers' (WAWG) leaders. In addition, the ambassadors will each receive a scholarship from the Washington Wheat Foundation.

Grace Hanning

Hanning is the daughter of Josh and Kelsey Hanning. The Hanning family operates a wheat and cattle operation near Centerville, Wash. She has maintained a strong grade point average at Goldendale High School while also completing running start courses at Walla Walla Community College. In addition to serving as ASB and FFA president, Hanning participates in basketball, cheerleading, Honor Society, Link Crew and FBLA and is an active member of the NW Jr Charolais Association. Grace has been accepted to the University of Idaho and is considering a career in ag business or communication.

Hanning heard about the Washington Wheat Ambassador program through Wheat Life Magazine and from her FFA advisor. She said she is excited to learn about the wheat industry and the work that WAWG does.

"I would like to say thank you for the opportunity. I'm really excited to make connections and to learn more about wheat production in Washington," she said.

Julia Klein

Klein is the daughter of Jake and Alisha Klein. She grew up on their multigeneration family farm near Ritzville. She has maintained a strong grade point average at Lind-Ritzville High School while also completing running start courses through Eastern Washington University. Klein is also very active in school and community activities, including being involved in three varsity sports, FFA, Honor Society, Link Crew and FBLA. She is a member of the Washington High School Equestrian Team. Julia plans to obtain a degree in biology/premedicine and then a doctorate of chiropractic degree.

Klein was familiar with the ambassador program as several former Lind-Ritzville students have been previous ambassadors. She said they encouraged her to apply. Although she has grown up helping her family grow wheat and raise cattle, she said she is excited to become more involved in the wheat industry in a professional manner and to be able to share the impact farming has had on her life.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity. I have an idea of what goes on in WAWG, but I'm looking forward to expanding my knowledge to better understand how WAWG serves the industry and to get to represent the industry," she said.

Klein is already an ambassador of sorts. She works at a local coffee spot in Ritzville and often finds herself answering questions about farming as she's serving coffee to visitors as they pass through.

"I get to tell them that my dad's a farmer, and I drive combine. I get to tell them about agriculture and what goes on," she explained.