Rules committee advances resolution to designate Feb. 11, 2026, as Oregon Wheat Day

The Oregon House Committee on Rules voted Feb. 24, 2025, to send House Concurrent Resolution 12 to the House floor with a recommendation to adopt. HCR 12 would designate Feb. 11, 2026, as Oregon Wheat Day, a centennial recognition for the Oregon Wheat Growers League.

The resolution drew several supporters from across the state, including legislators and wheat producers. State Representative Anna Sharp of House District 23 told the committee that her family grows seed and export wheat, and recounted the Wheat Growers League’s history and links to the Wheat Marketing Center in Portland. "It acts as a bridge between wheat growers and customers," Sharp said, describing the center as a technical crossroads that helps develop markets for Oregon wheat.

Republican lawmakers and industry leaders described the crop’s economic and global importance. State Representative Shelley Bossert Davis, representing District 15, said, "Each year, Oregon wheat producers contribute over $500,000,000 to our state's economy," and called wheat "an important part of Oregon's agricultural economy and a livelihood for thousands of hardworking farmers across the state." State Representative Mark Goins said wheat production in eastern Oregon is part of a larger wheat belt that supports domestic and international food supplies.

Senator Todd Nash and Representative Bobby Levy also testified in support, tying the resolution to the 1926 founding of the Oregon Wheat Growers League and noting the industry’s export orientation. Amanda Hohey, CEO of the Oregon Wheat Growers League, told the committee that Oregon typically produces "roughly 40 to 50,000,000 bushels of wheat" in an average year and estimated that equates to "more than 2,000,000,000 loaves of bread each year" produced from Oregon wheat.

Erin Hansel Heideman, identified as the president of the Oregon Wheat Growers League and a sixth-generation wheat farmer, described the league’s role in advocacy, research partnerships, and market development. Hansel Heideman and Hohey said the league and associated assessments fund research at Oregon State University and partner institutions on wheat breeding, plant pathology, weed science and production practices to improve yields while reducing inputs.

Following testimony, the committee closed the public hearing, opened a work session and voted to recommend the bill to the House floor. The clerk recorded yes votes from Representatives Bossard Davis, Elmer, Kraft, Valderrama and from Vice Chairs listed on the roll; Chair Bowman was recorded as excused. The motion passed and committee members noted that Representatives Owens and Sharf (as recorded in the hearing) are listed as co-carriers for the measure when it goes to the floor.

The resolution is ceremonial and does not change statute or appropriate funds; proponents said the designation is meant to recognize industry history, support promotional and research efforts, and mark the league’s 100th anniversary in 2026.