Ben Scholz, a wheat grower from Lavon, Texas, was elected to serve as the incoming secretary for the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) during the organization’s board of directors meeting held March 3, 2016, at the 2016 Commodity Classic held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

By serving several years on the NAWG Domestic and Trade Policy Committee and most recently on the Operations and Planning Committee, Scholz has been given a well-rounded familiarity of the NAWG organization and its members.

Scholz also comes from a history of service on both the Texas Wheat Producers Board (TWPB) and Texas Wheat Producers Association (TWPA). He has been an executive committee member for both organizations since 1985 and has served on the research, budget and nominating committees. Most notably, he has served as a former TWPB Chairman and is currently the acting TWPA President.  

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After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M Commerce in 1969, Scholz began farming and ranching in partnership with his father. In 1999, he diversified his interests by becoming president and CEO of Producers Compress Inc., a business offering warehouse space for lease and cotton storage.

Today, Scholz continues his business, B Scholz Farms, in partnership with his wife Beth, pursuing farming, ranching and real estate. His farming operation is located in several counties and consists of wheat, grain sorghum, corn, cotton, soybeans and hay in various rotations year to year.

Scholz has been named Farmer of the Year by the Collin County Soil and Water Conservation District; Alumni Ambassador, the highest award an academic department can bestow upon a graduate, awarded by the Agricultural Department of Texas A&M-Commerce University; and presented the Brother of the Century Award from the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.

“I’m excited for this new opportunity to serve my fellow farmers and our national association,” Scholz said. “I look forward to getting to know our growers better, so that I can be a stronger voice for our industry. I will strive to assist the officer team to strengthen our association on the local, state and national levels.”

Other NAWG Officcers

Other NAWG officers elected and installed at the meeting include:

Each NAWG officer commits to serve five years for the organization. The NAWG Nominating Committee and NAWG Board of Directors reaffirms the officer selections each year as they move into new roles on the officer team, beginning with the role of secretary.

The Texas Wheat Producers Board is a statewide board funded by a voluntary two cent per bushel checkoff program. Checkoff funds are used for research, market development and education to further the wheat industry in Texas and support the profitability of wheat producers. The Texas Wheat Producers Association is a voluntary membership organization of wheat producers in Texas. The association provides growers a concentrated, organized voice in political matters affecting the production and marketing of their crops. For more information, visit http://www.texaswheat.org.