Ben Scholz, a wheat producer from Lavon, Texas, was recently selected as the president of National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) during their annual meeting at Commodity Classic on March 1.
Scholz has been farming since his graduation from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 1969. Over the years, his operation has produced wheat, grain sorghum, corn, cotton, cattle, hay and soybeans in Collin and Hunt counties.
“It is an honor to serve this organization and my fellow wheat producers,” Scholz said. “I became involved with NAWG during negotiations of the 2014 Farm Bill and quickly realized how influential this organization is. As our group met with lawmakers, we saw results through changes made in the final legislation. We were just speaking up for what we believed in and they listened. That’s the motivation I have as I move into this role.”
Scholz first represented Texas on the NAWG board of directors before his election to the officer team in 2016 as secretary. He also serves in leadership roles for many state organizations, including the Texas Wheat Producers Board and Association.
“My main goal as NAWG president is to get value back into wheat,” Scholz said. “I believe we can do that by advocating for all U.S. growers, pushing for timely delivery of government support and passing much-needed trade deals. This is a critical time for producers as the farm economy has continued to decline, so NAWG will be hard at work to fight for better conditions.”
The National Association of Wheat Growers also welcomed the following to their officer team: Dave Milligan of Michigan as vice president; Nicole Berg of Washington as treasurer; Brent Cheyne of Oregon as secretary; and Jimmie Musick of Oklahoma as past president.
NAWG was established in 1950 and operates as the national policy organization for U.S. wheat growers. They work with state wheat groups, including the Texas Wheat Producers Association, to benefit the industry through legislative advocacy.
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