Innovator: NAWG policy leader delivers relief, results for farmers

Anthony Peña, vice president of policy and communications for the National Association of Wheat Growers, says farmers still have a key advantage in Washington: public respect. He argues that while many people don’t fully understand what it takes to produce food and fiber, a farmer’s perspective carries weight in policy debates.

Peña joined NAWG in March 2025 and moved into his current role in January. He said agriculture is at a pivotal moment, with pressure building for action from Congress and the administration, including the next farm bill. He noted the last farm bill was passed in 2018 and said it has been repeatedly delayed.

He said NAWG is focused on delivering “relief and results” through whatever legislative path is available, including a farm bill, appropriations, or budget reconciliation. Peña also said growers’ messages land best when farmers show up in person on Capitol Hill, and he believes both Congress and the Trump administration are listening. Wheat leaders recently met with administration officials at the White House.

Peña described today’s political environment as increasingly partisan, making it harder to move major legislation. He also said wheat producers are facing the same economic uncertainty as other commodities, pointing to low prices and high input costs. His message to producers: keep engaging with lawmakers so agriculture stays central in the legislative process.

Why it matters

• The next farm bill is still unresolved, and Peña says delays since the 2018 bill have raised the stakes for agriculture.
• NAWG is pushing for outcomes through multiple routes in Congress, including appropriations and budget reconciliation.
• Peña says farmers’ direct involvement with lawmakers can increase agriculture’s influence in a polarized political climate.

What to do next

• Stay involved with state and federal lawmakers, including in-person visits when possible, to keep farm priorities visible.
• Follow NAWG’s policy updates as Congress and the administration work on the farm bill and other legislative vehicles.

Source

Original reporting by capitalpress.com: https://capitalpress.com/2026/02/23/innovator-nawg-policy-leader-delivers-relief-results-for-farmers/