Art Schultheis
Candidate for Barley District 6 (Whitman, Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, Walla Walla, Benton, Franklin, Klickitat, Yakima)
Hometown: Colton, WA
Education: Walla Walla Community College – Ag Mechanics 1982
Years of farming: 41
Affiliations: Owner/Operator of Diamond-S Farms, Inc.
Candidate statement
I would like to serve as the barley representative to the Washington Grain Commission. We raise malt barley and food barley on our farm and I see the benefits of barley in our crop rotation. Barley acres have decreased over the years and I would like to work with the industry to expand the market share of our barley crops so that this important rotation crop can also be profitable. I would also like to see more investment in the breeding programs to increase the yield and quality of future barley varieties.
Why do you want to serve on the board of the Washington Grain Commission?
By serving on the Washington Grain Commission, I can give back to the grain industry using the knowledge and experiences I have gained during my farming career. Barley is an important part of our crop rotation and I would like to help put a focus on increasing market opportunities for malt barley and food barley.
What experience and strengths would you bring to the Washington Grain Commission?
I have farmed for 41 years, coming back to farm with my parents in 1983 and now farming with our son and daughter-in-law. We are a Shepherd’s Grain owner/producer and I served on their Board of Directors for 8 years, including a term as Chairman of the Board. I have served on the Board of Directors for Uniontown Cooperative Association. I am also the bookkeeper for St. Gall and St. Boniface Catholic Parishes. These experiences have expanded my knowledge of the grain industry and I have a strong financial background.
What challenges being faced by the small grains industry would you focus your attention on?
The cost of production for our crops are ever increasing. Expanding our markets to make our crops more attractive to buyers and gain market share can increase the profit side of the ledger. This will help offset the cost of production that we are all dealing with.
What else would you like the growers and landlords of your district to know about you as a candidate?
I am the 5th generation on our farm, farming land that was homesteaded by my great great grandfather in 1874. I started farming in 1983 with my parents and now as I am approaching retirement, we are working through a succession plan with our son Kyle, to make sure our farm prospers with the 6th generation. We use a direct-seed system raising winter wheat, spring wheat, malt barley, food barley, lentils, peas, oats, garbanzo beans, canola and bluegrass seed. We home store most of our crops for identity preservation, so we can find niche markets for our crops.
Additional candidate information
Wife, Sue married 40 years. 2 children, Kyle (Stacie) & Kelsey (Kevin) Oswalt. 4 grandchildren.