WASHINGTON — Jane DeMarchi is joining the National Association of Wheat Growers as director of government affairs for research and technology, effective July 20.

A newly created position at NAWG, the position will be focused on research-related policy issues, including coordinating industry efforts related to the commercialization of bioengineered wheat, appropriations and administrative grant-making processes and tracking and consolidating wheat research work being done within the industry.


Ms. DeMarchi currently is director of government relations for the North American Millers’ Association, responsible for advocacy on a number of issues related to food and grain quality, safety and research.

“The new research and technology position is critical to NAWG’s work in encouraging investment and innovation in our industry’s future,” said Dana Peterson, NAWG chief executive officer. “I have every confidence that Jane has the appropriate experience and passion to lead NAWG’s efforts to coordinate existing and emerging wheat research ventures.”

In recent years, Ms. DeMarchi has served on the executive committee of the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative and the boards of the Wheat Quality Council and the National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research. While at NAMA, Ms. DeMarchi worked closely with the National Wheat Improvement Committee and NAWG to secure federal funding for wheat research.

Ms. DeMarchi will spend some time working on food safety and food aid issues for NAWG. She is an active member of the Agricultural Food Aid Coalition, which supports the use of U.S. commodities in U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Agency for International Development food aid programs.

Prior to joining NAMA, Ms. DeMarchi held positions in the area of economic development and trade promotion for the Ohio Department of Development and the U.S. Department of Commerce in Ohio, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
An Ohio native, Ms. DeMarchi holds a bachelor of arts degree from Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H.