U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) welcomes Sam Kieffer as the next chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), starting November 1. Kieffer brings more than 20 years of experience in agricultural leadership and farm policy to the role.

“I’m honored to join NAWG at such a pivotal time for wheat growers across the country,” said Sam Kieffer in NAWG’s official announcement. “Having grown up on a farm, it has been a privilege to dedicate my career to serving farmers and I’m proud to champion their cause in this new role. I look forward to working alongside NAWG’s dedicated members, board and staff to tackle challenges and ensure a bright future for farm families and rural America.”

Strong Voice for U.S. Wheat Farmers

Kieffer most recently served as vice president of public policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation, where he led policy advocacy and economic analysis for the nation’s largest general farm organization. In that role, he oversaw strategic advocacy initiatives that impacted federal legislation and regulatory frameworks across the agricultural sector. Prior to that, he held several key leadership positions at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, where he worked with farmers at both the state and local levels.

His policy and grassroots experience will benefit wheat growers across the country. NAWG and USW represent U.S. wheat farm families with distinct yet complementary missions. NAWG works to lobby Capitol Hill and the Administration on behalf of growers for domestic policy. Also working on substantial trade policy with the Administration, USW is dedicated to developing and maintaining export markets for U.S. wheat abroad.

The two organizations collaborate through joint board meetings held twice a year and joint committees that develop policies on issues intersecting with both their missions, such as trade policy and wheat breeding innovation.

“Under Sam Keiffer’s new leadership, we are committed to strengthening our partnership to provide a strong voice for our U.S. wheat farmers and our global customers,” said Mike Spier, USW president and CEO. “With shared trade issues and economic stresses, it is more important than ever that our wheat farm organizations help each other with policies and market opportunities that improve the livelihoods of wheat farmers.”

Learn more here.