Wheat Export Trade Education Committee

WETEC was initially established in 1984 as a permanent standing committee of the National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates. In 1999 WETEC was reconstituted as an independent organization to increase its effectiveness and better serve its membership. Seventeen state wheat commissions currently fund WETEC's operating budget. In addition to the operating budget, WETEC initiates and manages special projects funded by participating states, as necessary to carry out its role. Current members include: Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council, Arkansas Wheat Promotion Board, California Wheat Commission, Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee, Idaho Wheat Commission, Kansas Wheat Commission, Maryland Grain Producers, Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council, Montana Wheat and Barley Committee, Nebraska Wheat Board, North Carolina Small Grain Growers, North Dakota Wheat Commission, Oklahoma Wheat Commission, Oregon Wheat Commission, South Dakota Wheat Commission, Texas Wheat Producers Board, and the Washington Wheat Commission. WETEC holds regular board meetings twice a year in conjunction with the Wheat Industry Conference and Exposition in the winter and with U.S. Wheat Associates summer board meeting. In addition to regular board meetings, briefings on recent activities are sent to board members by the Executive Director to keep them updated throughout the year. Conference calls and officer meetings are also conducted as needed. Regular contact is maintained with the member state offices to ensure that their needs are being meet, as well as to solicit witnesses to testify, to obtain state specific information, or to comment on submissions to Congress, the Administration and internationalorganizations. WETEC is a small dynamic office that works across a broad spectrum of issues and ideas. The office is located in the Wheat Grower Building just a few blocks from the Capitol Dome. The building is owned by the National Association of Wheat Growers Foundation and also houses the National Association of Wheat Growers. The staff consists of two policy professionals, an Executive Director and an Assistant Director. The staff is responsible for all aspects of office management including communications, budgeting, reporting and financial record keeping. WETEC sets its priorities and goals through continuous dialogue with our wheat producer Board of Directors, state wheat commission members, U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers.