Wheat Growers Need to Become Their Own Best Advocate

Wheat Growers Need to Become Their Own Best Advocate

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report.

In a recent Letter to the Editor sent out to media across the state, Washington Association of Wheat Growers President Eric Maier has a message for his fellow wheat growers across the Pacific Northwest.

He states that public opinion is affecting farms now more than ever. There is misinformation being spread as gospel by non-experts, but they are being considered credible by those far-removed from the farms. Maier encourages his fellow wheat farmers to help tell wheat’s story.

Maier: “Well, the message is that I’d like to get them motivated. I know that wheat farmers are passionate and very engaged in their operation but we have to do more than just plant the seed and harvest the crop, we have to go out and tell wheat’s story. Right now, wheat is getting beat up a little bit in the national media with Wheat Belly the book that has been authored and been out there and gluten allergies and those kind of things. Wheat is an old time staple food and we need to tell its positive advantages here.”

Maier asks wheat farmers to share their message about how they produce a safe wholesome product with many whom they meet and know -- from the lady in the grocery checkout line to legislators.

Maier: “I’ve been finding out in my travels that everyone is basically interested in knowing their farmer. They want to know who is producing their food, that want to know that it is produced safely and nutritious. Wheat’s story will be told and who not better to tell wheat’s story than the farmer producing that crop.”

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.