What We Do

What We Do For North Dakota Wheat

Advancing markets, research, and education. Funded by growers, driven by result.

Who We Are

Working for Producers Since 1959.

The North Dakota Wheat Commission (NDWC) is funded solely by producers through a 2 cent checkoff on every bushel sold. This investment allows us to market and promote your wheat across the globe, fund critical research, and educate consumers.

Century Code PDF

7-Member Board

(6 elected + 1 Governor-

Appointed At-Large)

County Reps elect

6 District Commissioners

Wheat growers elect

county representatives

Your Investment is managed by a board of seven producer leaders:

Six District Commissioners elected by county representatives
One Commissioner-at-Large appointed by the Governor

The Result: a seven-producer board that develops priority programs, oversees implementation, and approves all expenditures.

How We're Funded

How the Checkoff Works

2-cents on every bushel sold

Invested back into research, markets, and education

Directed by

ND Wheat Producers

Your Checkoff Dollars at Work

The North Dakota Wheat Commission works for producers, using their checkoff investment to market and promote wheat domestically and worldwide, investing in research to give producers the best varieties and ensuring wheat producers have an effective voice on domestic and trade policy issues.

The North Dakota Wheat Commission divides its work and invests checkoff funds in five basic areas:

Research

The Commission funds research that benefits producers and end-users. The Commission believes high quality research provides producers with the best varieties and production tools to continue producing wheat that meets customer’s needs. End-use quality research helps customers better understand how North Dakota wheat can fit their needs and provides them with value information and problem solving solutions.

The Commission funds research in:

Varietal development for HRS, durum and HRW
End-use quality research for HRS, durum and HRW
Agronomic issues such as disease and pest management and soil health
Economic issues impacting wheat

Learn More About Our Research

International Marketing

Many international buyers require continual contact from marketing professionals who strive to build loyalty toward U.S. wheat and trust in American farmers. On average, exports account for half of all demand for U.S. hard red spring wheat and one-fourth of demand for durum wheat. Customer bases for North Dakota grown premium hard red spring wheat and durum wheats, span 60 countries.

The Commission works collaboratively with U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) to build and maintain markets for premium North Dakota wheat. USW supplies training and information to customers in over 100 countries, supporting the use of all U.S. wheat classes. USW activities are a cooperative effort between wheat growers and the federal government. Federal programs, including the Foreign Market Development program and the Market Access Program, account for about 72% of USW revenues. Producer check-off funds sent to USW through state wheat commissions, including regular state assessments and state-funded special projects, provide 28% of activity funding.

As the leading state in the production of hard red spring and durum wheat, the North Dakota Wheat Commission complements the expertise of USW personnel with its own marketing staff and consultants to promote these specialty wheat classes. Commission support of the North Dakota State University Cereal Science Department and Northern Crops Institute, both in Fargo, North Dakota and the Wheat Marketing Center in Portland, Oregon, provides customers with additional training, information and service they need to purchase and process hard red spring and durum wheat.

Some key international marketing activities include:

Annual crop quality & marketing seminars — Promote our quality advantages and educate customers on quality and marketing issues.
Trade teams — Bring customers to our state to see how wheat is produced and learn about our quality advantages and our marketing and grain handling systems. Buyers learn how to procure the wheat they need.
Ongoing trade servicing — A satisfied customer usually means repeat business and a willingness to pay premium prices.

Domestic Policy

NDWC contracts with the North Dakota Grain Growers Association (NDGGA) and U.S. Durum Growers Association (USDGA) to address domestic policy issues, including the Farm Bill, crop insurance, disaster aid, transportation and chemical harmonization issues.

The North Dakota Grain Growers Association works to educate officials on farm policy issues impacting North Dakota farmers. Their efforts include lobbying for the farm bill, crop insurance and disaster aid and working in partnership with other agencies on key issues such as transportation and chemical harmonization.

The U.S. Durum Growers Association works to make sure durum growers' concerns are represented by decision makers locally and in Washington, D.C. Their lobbying efforts include disaster assistance and crop insurance, and unique needs of the durum industry and durum production.

Domestic Promotion & Education

The North Dakota Wheat Commission's domestic promotion focuses on conveying positive messages on the healthfulness of bread, pasta and other wheat foods to American consumers. Motivating them to act on the information by enjoying and eating the recommended number of servings is the goal.

Domestic promotion efforts are done on a mostly collaborative basis with the Wheat Foods Council and National Pasta Association, both of which are funded by producers and industry. These organizations strive to promote the health benefits of wheat foods, provide sound, scientific information on wheat production and wheat foods, and engage with key influencers.

Some key efforts include:

Nutrition information — Factual information about the benefits of wheat foods and whole grains, combating fad diet trends.
Pasta Month — Annual promotion to recognize the importance of the durum industry and ND’s leading role as a durum producer.
Educating our Youth — via projects such as Ag in the Classroom.
Providing recipes and producer stories through our collaboration with EatWheat.org.