NAMA partnership with the National Association of Wheat Growers on the Wheat Innovation Alliance

The Wheat Innovation Alliance was formerly the Wheat Industry Biotech Council (WIBC). As part of developing a brand identity, in July 2012 the organization changed its name to WIA in July. WIA is one outcome of the Wheat Summits and was created in 2009 through the partnership of NAMA and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG).

WIA is a collaborative group of the wheat foods chain and is comprised of U.S. wheat growers and processors through their industry associations, as well as technology and seed companies. Members of WIA are united by a commitment to responsibly advance innovation in wheat production in order to help grow more and better wheat with less impact on the environment, as well as achieve understanding and acceptance of foods made with wheat enhanced through biotechnology.

The WIA board members include wheat organizations (NAWG, U.S. Wheat Associates, NAMA and American Bakers Association) and technology providers. Representing NAMA on the board are John Gillcrist, Bartlett Milling Company; Don Mennel, The Mennel Milling Company; Bill Stoufer, ConAgra Mills, and Jim Bair, NAMA.

With the departure of Dana Peterson and Jane DeMarchi from NAWG, Melissa Kessler, NAWG Director of Communications is the lead person for WIA. She is working closely with the WIA team at Global Prairie. In March 2012 they distributed comprehensive background and issue management materials, including a biotech wheat discussion guide, issue overviews, messaging essentials, and a crisis plan. These materials are tools developed for consistent messaging across the wheat chain. The biotech wheat discussion guide is in the form of a PowerPoint presentation that is available to anyone who has the opportunity to make a presentation about biotech wheat. Use of the guide is encouraged.

Last update March 7, 2013