Jamie and her husband Cordell own and operate an 8,500-acre dryland farming operation in the Rockland Valley of eastern Idaho. Their farm is comprised primarily of winter and spring wheat, along with a variety of rotational crops including: canola, safflower, mustard, and dry peas. They farm in a high desert environment at 5,000-6,200 ft. elevation with a relatively short growing season. The Kress’s have adopted no-till production, a diverse crop rotation, and continually focus on improving yields and soil health.
Jamie recently finished her role as President of Idaho Grain Producers Association (IGPA), serving as the first woman president in the organization’s history. She has served on NAWG’s Board of Directors, on the Budget Committee, as chair of the Domestic & Trade Policy Committee, and is excited to serve on the NAWG officer team.
Jamie Kress
President
Jamie and her husband Cordell own and operate an 8,500-acre dryland farming operation in the Rockland Valley of eastern Idaho. Their farm is comprised primarily of winter and spring wheat, along with a variety of rotational crops including: canola, safflower, mustard, and dry peas. They farm in a high desert environment at 5,000-6,200 ft. elevation with a relatively short growing season. The Kress’s have adopted no-till production, a diverse crop rotation, and continually focus on improving yields and soil health.
Jamie recently finished her role as President of Idaho Grain Producers Association (IGPA), serving as the first woman president in the organization’s history. She has served on NAWG’s Board of Directors, on the Budget Committee, as chair of the Domestic & Trade Policy Committee, and is excited to serve on the NAWG officer team.
Nathan Keane grew up in the suburbs of St. Paul, MN married a farmer’s daughter and has farmed with his father-in-law, Kerry Upham, on a 4th generation homestead near Loma, Montana. With a bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Northwestern in Saint Paul and a background in sales, Nathan brings this experience to the family farm as it has transitioned from primarily winter and spring wheat crops to growing a host of alternative crops. He and his wife, Dianna, have three young children. Nathan serves on several community boards and is bringing his experience as President of the Montana Grain Growers Association to his position on the NAWG officer team. In his free time, he enjoys snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and playing music.
Nathan Keane
Vice President
Nathan Keane grew up in the suburbs of St. Paul, MN married a farmer’s daughter and has farmed with his father-in-law, Kerry Upham, on a 4th generation homestead near Loma, Montana. With a bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Northwestern in Saint Paul and a background in sales, Nathan brings this experience to the family farm as it has transitioned from primarily winter and spring wheat crops to growing a host of alternative crops. He and his wife, Dianna, have three young children. Nathan serves on several community boards and is bringing his experience as President of the Montana Grain Growers Association to his position on the NAWG officer team. In his free time, he enjoys snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and playing music.
Chris Tanner is from Norton, Kansas. He started farming his grandfather’s land straight out of high school and views commitment to ag organizations as his continuing education. He has been involved in organizations like the Kansas Farm Bureau since early on in his farming career. He joined his county Farm Bureau board before serving on the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee and later as the District 10 representative on the Kansas Farm Bureau Resolutions Committee. Tanner currently serves on the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and has been a member since 2016. Tanner was a member of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) program Class XI, which traveled to Peru as part of a two-year intensive education, training, and travel program. He has since served on the KARL board and on the board of directors for Ag Valley Cooperative, and he currently serves on the Norton Rural Fire Department board and the Norton Regional Health Foundation board. Today, his fully no-till farm includes wheat and corn, in addition to a beef operation and custom planting and harvesting for others in his area.
Chris Tanner
Treasurer
Chris Tanner is from Norton, Kansas. He started farming his grandfather’s land straight out of high school and views commitment to ag organizations as his continuing education. He has been involved in organizations like the Kansas Farm Bureau since early on in his farming career. He joined his county Farm Bureau board before serving on the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee and later as the District 10 representative on the Kansas Farm Bureau Resolutions Committee. Tanner currently serves on the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and has been a member since 2016. Tanner was a member of the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) program Class XI, which traveled to Peru as part of a two-year intensive education, training, and travel program. He has since served on the KARL board and on the board of directors for Ag Valley Cooperative, and he currently serves on the Norton Rural Fire Department board and the Norton Regional Health Foundation board. Today, his fully no-till farm includes wheat and corn, in addition to a beef operation and custom planting and harvesting for others in his area.
Auston is a 5th generation farmer from Limon, Colorado. He attended Colorado State University where he earned a degree in political science. After graduating college, he worked in the technical sales and information technology industry before returning to the farm in 2018. He currently operates the land his family homesteaded in 1906 with his father, uncle and cousin. Their primary crops are winter wheat, corn, and proso-millet. Auston served as the president of the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers from 2024 to 2026. He also served as the chair of the NAWG Environmental and Research committee in 2025. Auston and his wife Jessica have two young children and love spending time in the outdoors: camping and mountain climbing.
Auston Andersen
Secretary
Auston is a 5th generation farmer from Limon, Colorado. He attended Colorado State University where he earned a degree in political science. After graduating college, he worked in the technical sales and information technology industry before returning to the farm in 2018. He currently operates the land his family homesteaded in 1906 with his father, uncle and cousin. Their primary crops are winter wheat, corn, and proso-millet. Auston served as the president of the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers from 2024 to 2026. He also served as the chair of the NAWG Environmental and Research committee in 2025. Auston and his wife Jessica have two young children and love spending time in the outdoors: camping and mountain climbing.
Pat Clements is a wheat grower and livestock farmer in Springfield, KY and has spent 45 years in the farm supply business. He attended St. Catherine College and the University of Kentucky where he studied Agricultural Economics. After school, Clements returned home to take over a family member’s seed cleaning business. As the farm input supply business consolidated, Clements Ag Supply Inc. acquired eight other farm supply businesses to become a full line farm supplier, with seed, seed cleaning and wheat seed production.
Clements is chairman of the board of the Kentucky Seed Improvement Association, chairman of the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association Promotion Council, and has served 12 years on the local school board.
Pat Clements
Past President
Pat Clements is a wheat grower and livestock farmer in Springfield, KY and has spent 45 years in the farm supply business. He attended St. Catherine College and the University of Kentucky where he studied Agricultural Economics. After school, Clements returned home to take over a family member’s seed cleaning business. As the farm input supply business consolidated, Clements Ag Supply Inc. acquired eight other farm supply businesses to become a full line farm supplier, with seed, seed cleaning and wheat seed production.
Clements is chairman of the board of the Kentucky Seed Improvement Association, chairman of the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association Promotion Council, and has served 12 years on the local school board.
NAWG Staff
Sam Kieffer is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), leading national advocacy efforts on behalf of America’s farmers who grow wheat. With over 20 years of experience in agricultural leadership, public policy, and rural advocacy, he works to shape sound farm policy and advance rural prosperity. A Pennsylvania native who grew up on his family’s grain and beef cattle farm, Sam has devoted his career to serving farmers and strengthening rural communities. Before joining NAWG, he was Vice President of Public Policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation and previously held leadership roles at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. A former U.S. Army and Pennsylvania Army National Guard officer, he values dependability, service, and collaboration. Sam holds degrees from Dickinson College, Widener University, and Delaware Valley University, and is guided by the principles of hard work, integrity, and dedication to America’s agricultural future.
Sam Kieffer
CEO
Sam Kieffer is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), leading national advocacy efforts on behalf of America’s farmers who grow wheat. With over 20 years of experience in agricultural leadership, public policy, and rural advocacy, he works to shape sound farm policy and advance rural prosperity. A Pennsylvania native who grew up on his family’s grain and beef cattle farm, Sam has devoted his career to serving farmers and strengthening rural communities. Before joining NAWG, he was Vice President of Public Policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation and previously held leadership roles at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. A former U.S. Army and Pennsylvania Army National Guard officer, he values dependability, service, and collaboration. Sam holds degrees from Dickinson College, Widener University, and Delaware Valley University, and is guided by the principles of hard work, integrity, and dedication to America’s agricultural future.
Elizabeth Rivera joined NAWG as their Director of Communications and Partnerships in April 2024. Elizabeth comes to NAWG with experience on Capitol Hill, interning with the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Rules and serving as Deputy Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon in Eugene, OR.
Elizabeth Rivera
Director of Communications and Partnerships
Elizabeth Rivera joined NAWG as their Director of Communications and Partnerships in April 2024. Elizabeth comes to NAWG with experience on Capitol Hill, interning with the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Rules and serving as Deputy Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon in Eugene, OR.
Anthony Peña joined NAWG as Policy Manager in March of 2025. Anthony comes to NAWG from the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA) where he served nearly three years as Government Relations Manager. Before working in government relations, Anthony previously served as U.S. Senator’s Patty Murray (D-WA) regional District Director and representative. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning from Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA.
Anthony Peña
Policy Manager
Anthony Peña joined NAWG as Policy Manager in March of 2025. Anthony comes to NAWG from the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA) where he served nearly three years as Government Relations Manager. Before working in government relations, Anthony previously served as U.S. Senator’s Patty Murray (D-WA) regional District Director and representative. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning from Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA.
Anne Osborne is the Executive Director for the National Wheat Foundation. Anne started with the Foundation in January, 2021. Anne directs the National Wheat Yield Contest, leadership programs for NAWG and NWF and other education, research and outreach programs the Foundation is involved in. Prior to her position with NWF, Anne worked as a sales agronomist in ag retail and crop
protection sales with DuPont as well as other positions with DuPont such as customer service and inside sales. Anne worked with all levels of the ag retail channel to promote and service products. She has served on several boards and task forces including North Dakota Corn Growers, National Corn Growers, North Dakota Ag in the Classroom and Advanced Crop Advisors Workshop Planning Committee. Anne went to Montana State University and has a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education, Extension option.
Anne Osborne
Executive Director National Wheat Foundation
Anne Osborne is the Executive Director for the National Wheat Foundation. Anne started with the Foundation in January, 2021. Anne directs the National Wheat Yield Contest, leadership programs for NAWG and NWF and other education, research and outreach programs the Foundation is involved in. Prior to her position with NWF, Anne worked as a sales agronomist in ag retail and crop
protection sales with DuPont as well as other positions with DuPont such as customer service and inside sales. Anne worked with all levels of the ag retail channel to promote and service products. She has served on several boards and task forces including North Dakota Corn Growers, National Corn Growers, North Dakota Ag in the Classroom and Advanced Crop Advisors Workshop Planning Committee. Anne went to Montana State University and has a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education, Extension option.
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