Kansas Wheat News: Dana Peterson to Lead NAWG

After almost nine years working on behalf of Kansas wheat producers as producer policy specialist for the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Dana Peterson will leave her position and follow a new adventure within the wheat industry. Peterson will become the chief executive officer of the National Association of Wheat Growers on Jan. 20; her departure is effective January 15.

“I am thrilled to be going to NAWG after a fantastic run at Kansas Wheat, where I learned more than I could have imagined about wheat farming and wheat farmers,” Peterson said. “I am cognizant of the realities of the wheat industry and looking forward to getting in the weeds, literately and figuratively, to tackle the issues facing our crop. Wheat is a big part of my life, and I am dedicated to seeing this industry succeed.”

Peterson accepted the position this week after an extensive search process undertaken by a committee including NAWG’s officer corps and three leaders from NAWG’s affiliated state associations. The final staffing decision was recommended by the executive Board, made up of NAWG’s officers and producers representing NAWG’s member-states.

Peterson’s tenure at Kansas Wheat began in June of 2001 as policy and membership specialist. She has managed federal and state grants for producer risk management education, and was involved in the push to increase research funding and give wheat producers access to biotechnology. Peterson also assisted in the budgeting process for a recent $4 million award from the Kansas Bioscience Authority.

“Dana has been an excellent asset for Kansas Wheat over the past nine years,” says Justin Gilpin, chief executive officer of Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and the Kansas Wheat Commission. “We will miss her leadership and passion for wheat grower’s advocacy at the state level, but are very excited to gain her leadership at the National level.”

A Smith Center native, Peterson was raised on a wheat farm where her family produces wheat, grain sorghum and cattle. Their homestead has been a family farm since 1871; two of her four brothers are now the seventh-generation producers.

“Dana’sextensive knowledge of current issues facingwheat producers will be a great assetto our national organization as it represents the interests ofour nation’swheat growers,” says Paul Penner, president of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and a farmer from Hillsboro.“Her backgroundin agriculture enables her to relateto the grassroots base of every wheat grower group that makes up NAWG.Her passion for agriculture and for representingwheat producers is unquestioned.”

Peterson received both her bachelor’s and master’s degree in agriculture economics from Kansas State University. She has been an active member of American Agri-Women and the Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom.