Senate Votes to Designate Wheat as Official State Crop

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 2159 to name wheat the official crop of the State of Oklahoma.

The bill, by Senator Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, was requested by the Burlington FFA Chapter. Pederson collaborated with chapter members to craft the legislation honoring Oklahoma wheat farmers, whose efforts have contributed to the state’s national reputation for premier wheat production and research.  

Oklahoma currently ranks second in the United States for annual winter wheat bushels harvested and third for the total number of bushels harvested annually, with most production concentrated in the central and western regions of the state.

“Senate District 19 is home to Enid, the ‘Wheat Capital of the United States,’ and our area boasts significant grain storage capacity. Enid, my hometown of Burlington, and countless other Oklahoma communities contribute greatly to the wheat industry, and I am proud to honor their contributions and hard work through this legislation,” Pederson said.

“I extend my appreciation to my colleagues for their overwhelming support of this measure and putting us one step closer to officially naming wheat as Oklahoma’s state crop,” Pederson added.

The measure is now eligible for consideration by the House of Representatives, where Rep. Dillon Travis, R-Maramec, is serving as the author of the bill.  

Upon receiving full legislative and executive approval, SB 2159 would take effect Nov. 1.

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For more information, contact: communications@oksenate.gov.