U.S. Capitol backdrop for Urban Wheat Field  

A live wheat field and combine transformed the streets of the Capital into a mini “farm-to-fork” experience to teach people about where their food comes from and to help them make more informed nutrition choices.  The Wheat Foods Council’s two-day Urban Wheat Field event September 23-24 enabled people to experience the life cycle of America’s most-consumed grain, from the kernel to the store shelf where people are given the choice – whole or enriched grain. 

The Wheat Foods Council is a nonprofit organization formed in 1972 to help increase public awareness of grains, complex carbohydrates, and fiber as essential components of a healthful diet. The Council is supported voluntarily by wheat producers, millers, bakers, and related industries. The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), U.S. Wheat Associates, many other state wheat associations and commissions, and representatives of the milling and baking industries, have been working to assist the Wheat Foods Council in preparation for this unique outreach program.

The wheat field has been grown by the University of Maryland, under the direction of Dr. Jose Costa, Associate Professor in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.  Program funding has been provided in part by the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board.

The D.C. experience is the second such venture by the Wheat Foods Council, a grower-governed and grower-supported nutrition education group. The first Urban Wheat Field was held in New York City in 2008, reaching thousands of urbanites, many of whom know little about farming and some of whom had never seen a growing agricultural product.

The Wheat Foods Council offers a similar, interactive, farm-to-fork experience at HowWheatWorks.com.