National Wheat Foundation Hosts Wheat Farm Tour

 

Washington, D.C.– The National Wheat Foundation and Maryland wheat grower, Eric Spates hosted an educational wheat farm tour for congressional staff on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Congressional staff who attended the event toured the farm, saw wheat being harvested and listened to speakers from USDA and the EPA on risk management, conservation, pesticide programs and environmental issues.

“Educating people about wheat and farming is one of the Foundation’s main goals, and to have a real farm during wheat harvest for a classroom is a great benefit,” said Bernard Peterson, Kentucky farmer and Vice Chairman of the National Wheat Foundation.

“I am thankful for the attendees who came out yesterday to learn about wheat,” said Eric Spates, who serves as a Board member on several state and national farm organizations including the National Association of Wheat Growers, Maryland Grain Producers Association, Montgomery County Farm Bureau, Montgomery County Weed Control and Edward B. Byrd Charitable Foundation. “It is very important that everyone understands the complex issues that impact farmers daily and how that can effect our food.”

The tour’s objectives included strengthening participants’ appreciation for the complicated nature of farming, showing participants firsthand, the careful stewardship of the land, water, soil, air uses and other natural resources that are vitally important to the farm’s success.

The National Wheat Foundation would like to thank all the participants, the speakers and experts who came out to Eric’s farm. Thank you to Eric for being so generous with his time and attention.

About the National Wheat Foundation

The National Wheat Foundation was established by the industry to serve as the national center for wheat research, education and outreach. The Foundation works to advance the wheat industry through strategic research, education and outreach collaborations, guided by core values of grower centeredness, integrity, honesty and trustworthiness.

The Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization incorporated and headquartered in Washington, D.C., governed by a nine-member Board of Directors, overseen by Chandler Goule, Executive Director and managed by Anne Osborne, project manager, who is assisted by the staff of the National Association of Wheat Growers, the Foundation’s sole member.