Ceremonial Bill Signing Highlights Designation of State Crop

Gov. Kevin Stitt, Sen. Roland Pederson (center right) and Rep. Dillon Travis (center left) are flanked by Burlington FFA Adviser Addison Jenlink, FFA students Kyden Archuleta, Cash Dotson, Remington Farney, Morgan Matzke, Maddox Morgan, Rylee Sims and Keeff Felty, former National Association of Wheat Growers president, at a ceremonial bill signing on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at the Oklahoma state Capitol in Oklahoma City.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, joined Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday for a ceremonial bill signing of Senate Bill 2159.

This legislation celebrates Oklahoma’s agricultural industry and hardworking farmers by designating wheat as the State Crop of Oklahoma. Pederson, a lifelong wheat producer, was the principal author of this measure.

Pederson thanked the governor for supporting this legislation that he said pays tribute to the city of Enid. Known as the “Wheat Capital of the United States” because it has some of the largest grain-storage capacity in the world, Enid is the largest city in Senate District 19.

“Today’s ceremonial signing is a proud moment for every Oklahoman who plays a role in wheat production,” Pederson said. “Wheat has been a major cash crop since before Oklahoma became a state, and it remains a major contributor to our agricultural industry and statewide economy. Formally recognizing this critical grain as our state crop honors our wheat farmers and celebrates the hard work they put into every harvest.”

Pederson added that this legislation wouldn’t have been possible without the work of the Burlington FFA chapter, whose members initially suggested making wheat the state crop and advocated for the bill throughout the legislative process. Burlington FFA leaders and Altus native Keeff Felty, former president of the National Association of Wheat Growers, were on hand for the bill signing.

Pederson also thanked Rep. Dillon Travis, R-Maramec, for serving as the bill’s principal House author.

"Drive across Oklahoma and you don’t have to go far before you see wheat fields stretching across the landscape," Travis said. "Agriculture has been part of my family for generations, and it continues to be part of my life every day. Making wheat our official state crop is a simple way to recognize something that has long been part of who we are as a state. I appreciate Senator Pederson for his partnership on this legislation and for his work to recognize an important part of Oklahoma’s heritage."

This law aligns with other Oklahoma statutes that designate official state symbols, including the state tree, fruit, vegetable, legume and grass.

SB 2159 officially takes effect Nov. 1.