Service recognition

The Washington Grain Commission (WGC) is recognizing Brian Cochrane for his service to the commission and celebrating his contributions to the Washington wheat industry.

A Kahlotus-area wheat grower, Cochrane represented Wheat District 5 from 2019 to 2024. He wanted to join the commission to represent the low-rainfall, wheat-fallow region and ensure commission-funded research at Washington State University (WSU) continues to provide innovation and support for farming practices in the driest of dryland regions. During his time on the commission, he served on the Wheat Advisory Committee and the Grain Royalty Advisory Committee for WSU, the WGC’s Grain Inspection Program Advisory Committee and Snake River Dam PNW Task Force, as well as the board for the Washington Wheat Foundation.

“Our advantage in the low rainfall region is the easier transportation of wheat to market, and I saw it needed to be represented and protected,” Cochrane said.

Cochrane is a retired U.S. Air Force officer who flew for 23 years before returning to the farm in 2007. He retained his involvement in the wheat industry during his Air Force career, using vacation time to return home to harvest with his brothers. He has only missed five harvests over his lifetime.

Cochrane brought that same dedication to his role on the commission.

“Being on a professional organization requires the need to think about others’ best interests over my own sometimes,” he said. “We were always trying to have the best balance of assessment funds between research, marketing, and outreach (education), the original tenants of the grain commission.”

When it comes to what he hopes the WGC will continue to work on, “thinking two to three steps ahead” is an important factor to keep on top of emerging trends and new technologies and to take “a thoughtful, powerful approach to strategic issues” that could help Washington growers stay sustainable for future generations. Research supporting wheat production, discovering new dynamic markets, and preserving our wheat transportation systems are the areas where Cochrane believes the WGC can continue to play a critical role.

“We must protect food security and take seriously that we will be even more responsible for feeding the world in the future,” he said. “Cookie cutter or status quo approaches don’t always work.”

His advice for the next generation stepping into leadership roles — be accountable. Admit mistakes but learn from them so you don’t repeat them.

“People are always looking up to you to be their best representative, especially when times are difficult, and decisions are hard,” Cochrane said. “I am honored to have had the opportunity to represent my colleagues and neighbors in District 5. Thank you!”

Brian continues to serve as a trustee to the Franklin County Mosquito Board, as a supervisor on the Franklin County Conservation District, and as an appointee to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Task Force on Ag Air Quality Research. He is also a lifetime member of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers.