Blankenship brothers passionate about agriculture

For Brett and Dan Blankenship, wheat farming has always been in the family. But these brothers have more in common than just being experienced combine drivers; they both have also served as the president of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG).

Brett and Dan are partners in Blankenship Brothers Joint Ventures and farm in the Washtucna area. On Sunday, Aug. 12, the brothers could be found operating Case combines on the hillsides above the house that they had been raised in.

Today, Brett and his wife LeeAnn reside in the home where the brothers were raised while Dan and his wife Dolly live in Ritzville. Together, the family maintains the large wheat farm and each member plays a role crucial to the overall success of the farm.

Along with his responsibilities on the farm, Brett currently serves as the secretary-treasurer for the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). Brett will spend the next four years serving in leadership roles with NAWG, during which time he makes multiple trips to Washington, D.C., as well as other conferences around the United States.

“We were always taught to be in a position to give back,” Brett said about his experience in leadership roles for both WAWG and NAWG. “Dan served in the early 90s and as time went on, it was in essence my turn.”

Both Dan and Brett received college degrees but their passion for farming drew both men back to the homestead. Dan received an agronomy degree from Washington State University (WSU) and Brett earned his master’s degree in concert piano from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.

After serving as county president and committee chairman for WAWG, Dan began the leadership roles for the organization. In 1991-1992, Dan served as WAWG president and then served as committee chairman for NAWG for a few years.

Dan explained that he had been approached about serving as a NAWG officer, but declined in order to focus on the farm.

Brett’s experience differs from Dan’s as he did not serve in every leadership role for WAWG, but rather began as vice president for the organization. He also served as the county president and a board member for multiple years before serving as an officer.

The brothers both attribute their involvement with the organizations to their father, Dwayne, who encouraged them to become involved at a young age. Dan explained that they began attending meetings and state conventions fairly early on in life, and the passion for agriculture grew from there.

“When you’re interested and you’re there and you can’t keep your mouth shut, you end up where we ended up,” Dan joked as he discussed the brothers’ involvement in WAWG.

While Dan has remained in the state of Washington, Brett moved to New York to pursue his music degree. Brett explained he had always had a fondness of music but his enthusiasm for music could not outweigh his love for farming.

“I’ve always had a passion for growing and love for the land,” Brett explained about his decision to return to Washington. “I’m the luckiest person in the world. To be able to do what you love, it’s not work at all.”

He likes to joke that he is just an everyday concert pianist Washington wheat farmer, but has the realization that his talent is most unlike any other farmer he knows. Brett has a piano in his home, but says he does not have a lot of time to practice, although he does try to find time to help community members in need of music for an event.

The two brothers help support each other both in the field and in leadership positions. Aside from their desire to help build and strengthen the organizations, the brothers are both interested in ways to help improve their own farm.

When technology began being implemented with farming, Dan admits he had his doubts and was hesitant towards the idea. Now both brothers embrace the technology and are quickly seeing the benefits on their farm.

The example the brothers used to explain the benefits of having a GPS unit is the ability to save money on chemicals when spraying the fields.

They explained that before using the GPS system, it was more of a guess where they had left off when spraying.

The guessing created overlap when spraying and caused the brothers to have to purchase more chemicals than should have been needed for the acreage. The GPS system allows them to save money, and both brothers attest to planting also becoming an easier task.

Brett said that the technology they use today helps improve the farm by increasing efficiency, safety, and being environmentally friendly.

As harvest season draws to a close for many farmers, the Blankenship brothers prepare for at least one more week in the wheat fields. For Brett, after harvest is over he again focuses his attention back to NAWG, especially examining this years Farm Bill.

“I’ve been in D.C. more this year to nurture the policy of the Farm Bill,” Brett explained.

Brett will continue to make trips to Washington, D.C., throughout the year and is keeping a close eye on the bill. Brett’s other responsibilities as secretary-treasurer mean that he is in charge of the financial instruments of NAWG and to help manage the wheat grower policy.

But for now, Brett is enjoying working in the fields alongside his brother.

“Without him (Dan) being supportive, I couldn’t make these committments,” Brett said as he maneuvered his combine, affectionately named Hillside Hilda, through the field. “I think we may be the only brothers that have been WAWG president.”

Both men find peace in their work in the fields and do not mind the long hours as they find the combines soothing and enjoy watching the wheat fields day after day. Brett and Dan both intend to remain active in the farming community and continue to support each other in future leadership endeavors.