The concept of stewardship is deeply ingrained in the farmer. Their calling is to wisely use the gifts of soil, water, and seed to produce a crop – and a livelihood. They feel responsible for continually nourishing and improving the land for the next generation. They work every day to contribute to a sustainable source of high-quality wheat for the world.
U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) feels it is our responsibility to share some of the impressive stories of stewardship in wheat production taking place across the country. One of the ways USW does this is through membership in the U.S. Sustainability Alliance and by developing a fact sheet on wheat sustainability.
In this section, USW has gathered resources the world’s wheat buyers, flour millers, bakers, and wheat food processors need to better understand how U.S. farmers produce more and better-quality wheat while using methods that are better for the planet we all share.
These are our Stories of Stewardship.
Episode 1: Stories Of Stewardship
Episode 2: Blackwell, Oklahoma
Episode 3: Harrod, Ohio
Episode 4: Ideal, South Dakota
Episode 5: Colton, Washington
Episode 6: Park River, North Dakota
Sustainability Defined
Just as each U.S. production region is different and faces unique challenges, the concept of sustainability has as many meanings as there are stakeholders. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines sustainable agriculture as “farming in such a way to protect the environment, aid and expand natural resources and to make the best use of nonrenewable resources.”
Farmers representing all six classes of U.S. wheat agree and would expand upon that agronomic definition to include “farming in a way that sustains the economic viability of their family’s operation to produce safe, wholesome wheat for the world, while ensuring the land is passed on in better condition for the next generation.”
The Stewards
U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) reached out to wheat farmers across the United States to describe how they strive to improve their land and manage resources. Each is committed to adapting to the many challenges they face and making choices that are best for the environment and their individual farms. We are proud to share their “Stories of Stewardship.”
Learn more about how these farmers practice sustainability:
Committed to Stewardship in Washington
Living with Purpose in North Dakota
The Next Generation in Kansas
A Visit to Padget Ranches
Additional Stories Of Stewardship
Over many years, U.S. Wheat Associates has also shared a range of stories about sustainable agriculture on such topics as: how on-farm technology has dramatically increased the efficiency of crop protection and fertilizer applications, how government conservation programs support sustainable wheat production, and how biodiversity and productivity have grown together in modern U.S. wheat varieties.
We invite you to open the links below to read more.
- Precision Agriculture Improves Environmental Stewardship While Increasing Yields
- U.S. Farmers Always Think About Economic and Environmental Sustainability
- Technology, Innovative Farming Practices Advance Wheat Farm Sustainability
- Minnesota Farmer Spread the News with His Conservation Practices
- U.S. Farmers Embrace Conservation Practices
- Farmers Look to New Technologies to Foster Precision Agriculture
- Cargill CEO Highlights Farmers Role in Pandemic and Promoting Sustainability
- NAWG Launches Special Climate and Sustainability Committee on Earth Day
- Past USW Chairman Darren Padget Shares Sustainable Practices On His Farm
- Where Can I Learn More About Sustainable Wheat Prod0uction?
- North American Millers Meet; NAWG CEO Talks Sustainable Production
- Precision Agriculture Advances Sustainable Wheat Production
- The Beginning of a New Food Security Initiative?
- Biodiversity And Productivity Has Grown In Modern U.S. Wheat Varieties
- Stories from the Wheat Farm – Committed to Stewardship in Washington
- Farmers Look To New Technologies To Foster Precision Agriculture
Wholesome: The Journey Of U.S Wheat - A Video Story Of Stewardship
In 2021, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) produced the film “Wholesome: The Journey of U.S. Wheat” in cooperation with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service and Federal Grain Inspection Service, state wheat commissions, local grain trade, and exporters. It is the foundation of USW’s messages to world wheat buyers and users about U.S. wheat sustainability and quality.
The people at every step of U.S. wheat’s journey to export featured in the film tell their own stories about how they thoughtfully produce new varieties, care for the land and the crop, and handle the wheat responsively to ensure it meets customer needs.
Additional Resources
- U.S. Sustainability Alliance (https://thesustainabilityalliance.us/)
- U.S. Wheat Sustainability Fact Sheet (https://uswheat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/U.S.-Sustainability-Alliance-Wheat-Fact-Sheet.pdf)
- Field to Market (https://fieldtomarket.org/)
- American Farm Bureau Federation (https://www.fb.org/issue/sustainability)
- National Association of Wheat Growers (https://wheatworld.org/category/conservation-sustainability/)
- USDA Partnerships for Climate Smart Agriculture (https://www.usda.gov/climate-solutions/climate-smart-commodities)
- USDA Conservation Reserve Program (https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/conservation-reserve-program/index)
- National Association of Conservation Districts (https://www.nacdnet.org/about-nacd/about-districts/)
- American Farmland Trust (https://farmland.org/)
