Last month Luke Muller began his new role with U.S. Wheat Associates as Assistant Director of its West Coast Office in Portland, Oregon. Muller comes to USW with a broad set of skills and experience in agricultural research and economics.
Growing up on his family’s farm in Altus, Muller tended to wheat, cotton, sorghum, canola, soybean and alfalfa. He earned a bachelor’s degree in plant and soil sciences and agribusiness from Oklahoma State University, and later a master’s in agriculture, food and resource economics from Michigan State University.
Muller worked as a research assistant in MSU’s Department of Agriculture, Food, and Resource Economics, where his duties included investigating fungal and insect effect on crops in the Midwest. He also served as a consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome, Italy. His work and study abroad offered an opportunity to see firsthand how other countries develop sustainable food chains through technology, research and policy.
Vice President and Director of USW’s West Coast Office Steve Wirsching believes Muller’s background make him the perfect candidate for the position.
“Luke’s expertise in agricultural economics, coupled with his understanding of wheat farming and his excellent communication skills, will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts to support and promote the U.S. wheat in the overseas market,” Wirsching said.
Muller also believes his expertise will be beneficial for USW.
“I really look forward to helping U.S. Wheat Associates in a variety of ways, and I think my educational background in agriculture and experience in research and farming will help me excel in the role,” Muller said.
Muller has been active on the local, state and international levels, serving in leadership roles focused on food security and sustainability.
“My knowledge of agriculture has been shaped by different countries and through peer-reviewed research, but I also have a personal connection to farming,” he said.
Per their website, USW’s mission is to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers.”
USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. USW maintains 15 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six U.S. wheat classes.
For more information, visit www.uswheat.org.