Michigan Wheat Program Renewed for Five Years in Strong Show of Support by Farmers

Michigan Wheat Program Renewed for Five Years in Strong Show of Support by Farmers

Lansing, Mich. (April 10, 2026) - The vote is over, ballots are tallied and the results are in! The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) has released the results of the grower-approved continuation referendum for the Michigan Wheat Program.

Under an order signed by MDARD Director Dr. Tim Boring, the program was re-authorized through August 2031 by 82% of growers voting in the referendum, representing 80% of the production volume among growers that voted.

This was the third continuation vote for the Michigan Wheat Program. It was initially voted in by growers in the summer of 2011. At that time the program was approved by 54% of both the popular vote and production voted. Because the Michigan Wheat Program is established under PA 232, the Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act, it must be re-affirmed by a vote of the state's wheat farmers every five years.

"We are very appreciative that on the 15^th anniversary of our check-off, even in a challenging marketing environment, that wheat growers have seen the value of our program and have re-authorized it," said Jeffery Krohn, chairman of the Michigan Wheat Program Board of Directors. "We thank the growers who took the time to evaluate the program and then vote for its continuation."

"The wheat check-off was initially voted in by growers to focus on yield and quality. That has been the major focus of the program. To date the Michigan Wheat Program has invested $6 million in about 200 research projects, including the partnership on the Dennis Pennington wheat specialist position, the MSU wheat breeding program and more recent efforts to better bring those new varieties to market," Krohn said. "The Michigan Wheat Program Board looks for projects that address the productivity, profitability and quality of wheat grown in Michigan's unique climate."

Similarly, Michigan Wheat Program executive director Jody Pollok-Newsom thanked the many pro-wheat farmers who have supported the check-off, whether in the referendum vote, participation in grower meetings, webinars or events or by reviewing the e-newsletter and YouTube videos.

"We have worked very hard to establish a top-notch, well-respected organization that looks out for the needs of Michigan's wheat farmers - focusing both on quality and yield," she said. "In addition to our robust research agenda, we have brought the British Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) Program to Michigan - the first state in the US to tackle yield and quality enhancement working backwards from the field's potential to find and break the barriers for the next 5, 10 and 15 bushels. The program popular in both Ontario and the US has many innovative growers fine tuning their wheat production strategies. And the program has been growing as we have added both growers and sponsors from different states."

"The wheat check-off has also sustained two popular grower events annually: Our Winter Annual Meeting and our June Field Day. We're also putting on webinars as the topics and timing are appropriate," she said. "The Board and I appreciate this vote of confidence in the direction we're headed, and we plan to deliver another five years of ambitious research, educational programs and keep our attention on issues affecting growers."

Wheat program funds are used on behalf of growers for research, education, communication and market development. Much more information about the Michigan Wheat Program, and a sign up for a subscription to its free e-newsletter, are found at www.miwheat.org.

The Michigan Wheat Program is funded by over 8,500 farmers who grow wheat in 50 of Michigan's
83 counties. The Michigan Wheat Program board seeks to promote the state's wheat industry by funding and supporting the strategic priorities of wheat farmers working with input suppliers, seed producers, millers, end users and consumers. Research on wheat production practices and grower education has been an early priority for the organization.

About the Michigan Wheat Program

The Michigan Wheat Program is a state-check off program voted in by the state's wheat farmers to assess each bushel of wheat grown and sold. The funds from the program are utilized to further the wheat industry in the state benefitting the state's nearly 8,000 wheat farmers who grow about 450,000 acres of wheat annually producing about a 40 million bushel crop.

Contact Us

P.O. Box 25065
Lansing, MI 48909
1-888-943-2801