National Wheat Foundation Hosts Wheat Farm Tour
Eric Spates, farmer and Maryland Grain Producers leader, invited Congressional staffers to his farm in Poolsville, MD to share about conservation practices and the importance of crop protection products that make conservation tillage possible.
Bernard Peterson, Kentucky Small Grains Promotion Council Member and NWF Vice Chairman, led a panel discussion during the tour.
The National Wheat Foundation and Maryland wheat grower, Eric Spates hosted an educational wheat farm tour for congressional staff on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Congressional staff who attended the event toured the farm, saw wheat being harvested and listened to speakers from USDA and the EPA on risk management, conservation, pesticide programs and environmental issues. It was great educational event, which was also attended by NWF Vice Chairman Bernard Peterson and NAWG Secretary Pat Clements, both of whom are Kentucky farmers. Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association executive director Laura Knoth also attended.
Pat Clements, NAWG Secretary and Ky small Grain Promotion Council Chairman.
“Educating people about wheat and farming is one of the Foundation’s main goals, and to have a real farm during wheat harvest for a classroom is a great benefit,” said Bernard Peterson, Kentucky farmer and Vice Chairman of the National Wheat Foundation.
“I am thankful for the attendees who came out yesterday to learn about wheat,” said Eric Spates, who serves as a Board member on several state and national farm organizations including the National Association of Wheat Growers, Maryland Grain Producers Association, Montgomery County Farm Bureau, Montgomery County Weed Control and Edward B. Byrd Charitable Foundation. “It is very important that everyone understands the complex issues that impact farmers daily and how that can effect our food.”
The tour’s objectives included strengthening participants’ appreciation for the complicated nature of farming, showing participants firsthand, the careful stewardship of the land, water, soil, air uses and other natural resources that are vitally important to the farm’s success.
The National Wheat Foundation would like to thank all the participants, the speakers and experts who came out to Eric’s farm. Thank you to Eric for being so generous with his time and attention.