Chris Schmidt Auburn, Michigan Heart of the Saginaw Valley

Chris SchmidtAuburn, Michigan

Heart of the Saginaw Valley

SPECIFICS… Born in 1957. Raised on 100 acre Centennial Farm by 3rd generation

parents. Mom (still kickin) was a school teacher, Dad (kicked it) was

a pipefitter and part time dairy/cash crop farmer. 2 brothers (1 still alive) and 1 sister. BSME from Michigan Technological University ’80. Worked in industry ever since. Started seed business in 1988. Married Debbie (Auburn girl) 2001. Acquired Matt in the

process.

SPECIFICS (CONT)… Expanded farm to 650+ acres plus half a dozen contract

growers. >90% value added markets.

Seed oats Race horse oats Stove corn Edible beans Soybean seed (GMO & non-GMO) Wheat seed (SWW & SRW)

Served 9 years on board of Michigan Crop Improvement Association – 3 as president.

Presently serving on the newly formed Michigan Wheat Program as secretary.

MICHIGAN STATISTICS… Michigan Ag Output = $7.26 billion

Crops = $4.02 billion Wheat = $199 million

55,000 farms 10 million acres Avg size = 182 acres 95% are family or individually owned

Saginaw Bay Region: $269 million 300,000 acres

Auburn

Pentwater

CHALLENGES….. Expanding value added markets Controlling value added markets SWW genetics

Availability (present) Pipeline (future)

PERSONAL GOALS FOR ATTENDING WILOT

Build lasting relationships with those attending/presenting/facilitating

Gain insight on future direction of wheat industry – as applied nationally as well as locally

Develop skills and confidence to articulate future direction of wheat industry

Not loose any weight