In 1959, at the urging of wheat producers, the state legislature established the North Dakota Wheat Commission and with it a framework for wheat producers to invest in the promotion of their product. The North Dakota Wheat Commission works to increase the economic well-being of the state's wheat producers by developing, promoting and servicing domestic and international markets. Wheat producers finance the effort entirely themselves with a checkoff of one cent per bushel of wheat sold.
The North Dakota Wheat Commission is entirely producer-controlled. Leadership selection begins when producers elect county representatives, who in turn elect six district commissioners. North Dakota's governor appoints a seventh commissioner from a list of nominees submitted by major farm and grower organizations. These seven producers make up the board of commissioners. They develop policy and programs, oversee their implementation, and approve budget expenditures. Seven staff members administer wheat checkoff programs.
