Oregon Wheat Growers League

03/10/10 8:30:16 PM

Contact Info:

Oregon Wheat Growers League
115 SE 8th
Pendleton, OR 97801
Phone 541.276.7330

Email the OWGL office

The League was formed in February of 1926 in the town of Moro. Founding of the League coincided with an economic conference organized by the Oregon Agricultural College (OAC) Extension Service to deal with the effects of a severe crop freeze in 1924. The League was the first commodity organization formed in the United States for wheat, and as such holds a unique position in the annals of agricultural history.

Goals of the new organization are to:

(1) Promote the interests of wheat growers
(2) Provide a means for unified action
(3) Deal with emergencies from time to time
(4) Work with OAC (now OSU) and county Extension Agents on various issues

Now, over 80 years after Oregon wheat producers first came together to work for the common interest, OWGL remains hard at work promoting wheat interests and providing a means for wheat growers to work together. From advocacy work in Salem to providing key input on federal farm legislation, the voice of Oregon grain producers is being heard through the efforts of their Oregon Wheat Growers League.

Mission Statement

"The Oregon Wheat Commission and the Oregon Wheat Growers League will cooperate to enhance the profitability of Oregon wheat growers by communicating with and educating ourselves and the public; assuring markets; and conducting and stimulating research. We will be politically proactive and work to strengthen our organizations and our industry."

Each year the leadership of the Oregon Wheat Growers League developes a "Strategic Issues" plan for the committees of:

Federal Programs and Transportation
Marketing
Membership
Research and Value Added
Environment and Regulations

In addition to these strategic issues, the leadership develops a priorities list to guide the League in the upcoming year. These strategic issues and prioroty documents may be viewed by the OWGL membership by visiting the members only portal of www.owgl.org

OWGL continues this fine tradition of grass roots advocacy and public education today.

"The Oregon Wheat Growers League is a not-for-profit Trade Association funded in part by the statutorily mandated $.05/bu. assessment paid by every wheat producer/landlord when their grain is marketed at the first point of sale. This assessment is collected by the Oregon Wheat Commission, a State Agency, located in Portland, Oregon. The balance of the OWGL budget is comprised of voluntary membership dues from producers and business owners throughout the State of Oregon."