Clark Hamilton, a third-generation farmer from Ririe, was elected secretary-treasurer of U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) during the USW winter board meeting in Washington, D.C. in January. USW is the export market development organization for the U.S. wheat industry. Hamilton is currently the vice chairman of the Idaho Wheat Commission. He and his wife, Kristi, own Hamilton Triple C Farms, approximately 6,000 acres of diversified family farmland that Clark and Kristi operate with their two sons, Jordan and Logan, and a full-time employee, Mitch Landon.
“I’ve got a good team,” Hamilton said when asked how he balances leadership roles with his occupation. “I couldn’t do this without that good team.” Hamilton previously served as executive officer of the Idaho Grain Producers Association board and on the board of Ririe Grain and Feed Cooperative, as well as in several church and community service and leadership positions. “I’ve always felt like it’s important to be involved in our industry, that if we want to preserve this way of life it’s important for us to be involved and keep that industry strong,” Hamilton explained.
It was while serving in those roles that Hamilton became very familiar with the local, state and national issues impacting agriculture, particularly wheat. “I often say that everyone’s got a lot of problems when they sit down at the dinner table, unless they don’t have any food. Then they have one problem,” Hamilton said. The necessity of feeding the world and seeing the result of his hard work is what keeps him planting.
Connecting with overseas customers tops Hamilton’s list of priorities in his new role. “I decided to run for office because I sincerely believe that the success and profitability of wheat growers depends on developing and protecting our export markets.” Hamilton is hoping to build farmers’ customer base and deepen overseas relationships during his time on the board. “Growers have to be involved because our relationships with overseas customers are critical in this increasingly competitive global market where U.S. wheat is rarely the lowest cost source.”
Hamilton wants to make one thing clear: he’s here to listen and then follow through. His message to overseas customers is simple, “We’re listening to you,” he said. “Going forward, I am going to listen to our customers to ensure USW is adapting to meet their needs.” He made a similar promise to growers and USW leadership and staff, “I am going to listen to USW staff to be sure the Board of Directors is providing the guidance and support they need to carry out the organization’s mission.”
Hamilton and the rest of the USW officer team will begin their new leadership roles for the 2022-2023 fiscal year at the USW board meeting in June.
