Congratulations to Jerry Marguth of Junction City, who was recently elected as the Oregon Wheat

Commission 2020-2021 Chair. Jerry will take over the Chair role on July 1st from Walter Powell. Walter has served three years as Chair and remains on the Commission through June of 2022.

Dana Tuckness, Producer based in Ontario, steps into the role as Vice-Chair, taking over the leadership role previously held by Jerry Marguth. Reelected as Secretary/Treasurer is Jordan Van Zante , Handler with Pacificor in Portland.

Three positions on the commission received reappointments by the ODA Director. Reappointed Commissioners include Jason Middleton, Handler with United Grain Corp., Travis

Jones, Public Member with Nike, Inc., and Darren Padget, Producer based in Grass Valley. Continuing member to the commission is Bob Newtson, Producer based in Helix.

The OWC is composed of five producer commissioners, one public member and two handlers from the various growing regions of the state.

Amanda has over a decade of executive leadership experience and a close connection to the Oregon Wheat industry, growing up on a dryland wheat farm in Wasco County. Working within her capacity she has made valuable investments in her career and takes pride in returning to her roots and investing in rural economies. Amanda recognizes an opportunity to further expand the investment into the area most important to her: “I am excited about the opportunity to step up to a role that strengthens the wheat industry and wheat growers. From enhancing resources for ag research to addressing policy challenges that would otherwise hinder farm profitability/viability, the work of Oregon Wheat is critical to ensuring vibrant rural communities”.

Tana Simpson was raised on a small farm in rural Clackamas County. She graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business Management and a minor in Animal Sciences in early 2000.

Simpson joined the Oregon Wheat Commission in late 2000 after a brief stint at the Oregon Hazelnut Commission. She currently serves as the Associate Administrator supporting the Commissions’ financial records and bookkeeping, trade team visits, state and federal compliance and other tasks as needed.