KWCRF's Fields Forward Campaign Surpasses $2 Million

The Kansas Wheat Commission Research Foundation announced on July 17 that its Fields Forward research fundraising campaign has surpassed the $2 million mark toward its goal of $4 million by the end of 2021.

Led by the KWC Research Foundation, the Fields Forward Campaign was launched in January 2019.

"The continued success of the Fields Forward Campaign is a credit to the generosity and commitment to wheat research by all segments of the wheat industry," Ron Suppes, KWCRF Chair said. "We sincerely thank our donors who have invested in the future of wheat research through the next several decades."

The lead donors who got the campaign to the half-way mark were recognized during an online campaign kick-off event. The major contribution to the campaign so far was a $1 million dollar gift from the Vanier Family.

Other lead donors include The Mull Family Foundation, with a gift of $300,000; MKC, with a gift of $150,000; Great Plains Analytical Laboratory, Cereal Ingredients, Inc. and Robert Hatch with a gift of $100,000; and $50,000 gifts from CoMark Equity Exchange, Skyland Grain, GrainCraft and ProValue Insurance.

Funds raised through the campaign will be used for three different purposes:

• Fields of Research - Funding ongoing wheat research programs that improve the profitability of farmers while improving the quality of wheat for end use.
• Fields of Study - Keeping a full pipeline of future research talent by supporting students and technicians in research fields essential to wheat.
• Fields of the Future - Building funds for the long-term support of wheat research, while maintaining the level of technology and facilities necessary to sustain that work.

The campaign accepts many types of gifts to support wheat research including cash, stock transfers, donations of grain and deferred gifts such as will bequests.

The KWCRF was established in 2011 as the official fundraising organization for the Kansas Wheat Commission. The Foundation works to raise private dollars to combine with public funds for the advancement of wheat research including the accelerated release of wheat varieties.

The KWCRF is a separate, independent entity chartered by the state of Kansas as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit research corporation. While the wheat checkoff is paid only by farmers, the Foundation allows private individuals and all segments of the wheat industry to support wheat research through tax-deductible gifts. Gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Complete campaign details can be found at www.fieldsforward.org.