New commissioner, reappointments

SPOKANE, Wash.—The Washington Grain Commission (WGC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Adams as the WGC commissioner for District 4 Wheat representing Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties. He succeeds Mike Miller, who retired from the commission at the end of 2023.

“Washington’s wheat industry is fortunate to have had Mike Miller serving on the commission for the last 13 years. He has helped the commission achieve some significant milestones during his tenure, most notably the memorandum of understanding with the Japan Flour Millers Association for exchanging information in support of the club wheat breeding program at USDA-ARS in Pullman.” WGC CEO Casey Chumrau said. “And I am thrilled to have Ben join us to represent District 4. He is a well-known leader and advocate for the Washington wheat industry and is a great addition to our board of commissioners.”

The WGC board of directors is made up of 10 members, which includes seven producer members representing 20 Eastern Washington counties, two representatives of allied industries, and one representative from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). Producer commissioners are nominated by constituents in their respective districts for appointment by the WSDA. Industry representatives are recommended by the board for WSDA appointment and the WSDA director appoints his representative directly.

Adams begins his term with the calendar year and will assume hist seat at the WGC board meeting in Pullman on January 11.

Adams grew up in Coulee City and received his bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management from Whitworth University in Spokane. After college, he obtained his certified public accountant (CPA) license and has worked part time for the CPA firm J.R. Newhouse & Co. PLLP for over 30 years. Ben is a fourth-generation dryland and irrigated farmer in Douglas and Grant Counties, an area that receives around 7 to 10 inches of annual rainfall. He farms with his wife, Jenny; his two grown daughters, Morgan and Jessica; his sister, Mary Dunkin; and mother, Joyce Adams.

“I love the lifestyle it affords me and my family,” Adams said. “It’s both challenging and rewarding to work and run a family business with primarily family members every day, but I wouldn’t change it.  I know it’s a cliche to say, but, my favorite part is watching the whole crop cycle from seeding to harvest.”

Their farm, Adams Farm Partnership, follows primarily conventional practices with some acres under a reduced tillage program and are taking steps towards a direct seed program.

“Our reduced rainfall area does make the transition a little more challenging. I think one of the top concerns in my area would be farm sustainability,” Adams said. “Farm sustainability can mean a whole host of things but in this case it’s the ability to pass it on to the next generation. If our farms are not profitable it’s hard to look at the next generation in the eyes and say it’s worth it. I believe the commission does a lot to help in this regard through its efforts in market development, grower support, and research.”

Adams will tell you his time revolves around family, faith and the agricultural community. He also serves on the boards of HighLine Grain Growers, Inc., a cooperative grain handler, and Valley Wide Cooperative, an agricultural supply organization. He previously served on the board for the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, serving as president in 2017, and also served for several years as board member and president for the Douglas County Wheat Growers Association. Ben is also a past board member of the Washington Wheat Foundation.