Felgenhauer gives $100,000 to Ag Forestry fund

Washington Agriculture and Forestry Foundation has received a $100,000 gift from Jack Felgenhauer to endow the Jack Felgenhauer Agriculture Issues Seminar and help secure the long-term sustainability of the foundation’s leadership program.

Felgenhauer, who operated a 2,000 acre farm in the Fairfield area where he raised wheat, barley, blue grass and lentils, is a former president of the National Association of Wheat Growers.

He is a long-time member of the state association and served as its president in 1970. Ten years later he served as national president.

The foundation’s Ag Forestry Leadership program provides a training to develop future leaders in the natural resource fields. The program aims at developing leaders by introducing them to legislative and other leadership locations at the state and national levels.

The two-year training program concludes with an international trip. Members of the 33rd class are now on their training with a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. Over the years, the program has graduated approximately 900 participants and many of those are now active in industry leadership roles.

Dave Roseleip, president of the foundation which is based in Spokane Valley, credited Felgenhauer with recognizing the importance of investing in the development of future leaders. He noted Felgenhauer’s recognition evolves from a lifetime of leadership for agriculture and his community.

The agriculture issue seminar will be named after Felgenhauer for his support of the foundation. The Felgenhauers are now retired and living in Spokane Valley.