Wheat Benefits: From the Environment to the Economy

The Wheat industry has benefited communities economically as well as environmentally.
Wheat farming benefits rural communities by providing jobs for many people. In Sherman County, where I am from, most jobs lie within the wheat industry. According to the 2022 census of Agriculture there are 173 farms in Sherman County. It’s not just the farmers, but the equipment dealers, Ag Vendors, elevator operators and others that keep a rural economy afloat and a harvest running efficiently. An urban economy reaps the benefits of the wheat industry as well. Grain merchandisers, mill operators, and exporters are all essential in getting a crop to market and provide much needed jobs throughout communities.

Wheat is also a vital part of the ecosystem, providing food and a habitat for local wildlife. No till farming has led to little erosion and fertilizer runoff, further improving soil health. Dry land wheat doesn’t require irrigation. Conservation practices such as terraces and basins are implemented to conserve water and avoid runoff into nearby waterways. These also provide water to wildlife at certain times of the year. Our ecosystems benefit from good stewardship of the land.

The Oregon Wheat League advocates on behalf of all Oregon wheat producers and is the voice of the Oregon wheat industry when it comes to federal legislation. For rural farmers like those in my area, this is a way for their ideas and concerns to be heard. This is important because it gives us as a small community a chance for our voices to be heard. Even though our voice is a relatively small one, it is just as important as the voice of a larger community. In order to succeed as an industry all voices must be heard, even the ones deemed not as powerful.

In conclusion, the wheat industry has many benefits from economic to environmental. In turn the Oregon Wheat League has given farmers, those who have firsthand experience a stronger voice in Ag legislation. Wheat farming is vitally important to my community as it is the main source of income for my family, and many others. I am grateful to be part of such a hardworking community and thankful to see all the benefits of Oregon Wheat.

2026 Scholarship Essay: Madison Cranston