Video: Longtime Arizona Wheat Industry Leader, USW Collaborator Al Simons to Retire in June

From working dairy cows in upstate New York to certifying seed in Minnesota to helping promote and export wheat in Arizona – the career backstory of Allan “Al” Simons is fascinating. Simons, who has served as part-time Executive Director of the Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council (AGRPC) since 1994, announced that he is retiring in June. Over the past three decades, Simons has regularly attended U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) meetings. He also represented Arizona’s interests on three USW Board Team trips, and has been an effective promoter of Desert Durum® wheat. But his connection to the wheat industry goes much deeper. He served as Executive Vice President of the Arizona Crop Improvement Association (ACIA) beginning in 1988 until his retirement from that organization in 2008. “I hope that my work in grain research and promotion have been helpful and appreciated,” Simons said. “I do know that, personally, collaborating with U.S. Wheat Associates over the years opened my eyes to the global aspects of agriculture. I am grateful for those experiences.” In this short video, we hear from Simons and learn about some of his history with wheat . . .