Wheat Fiber for Rural Wealth and Health Roundtable
Graduate Hotel, Lincoln , Nebraska
In this Nebraska Roundtable, we will develop alignment and a pragmatic plan to build a new and powerful relationship between agriculture and health. Discussion will center on the Coalition for Grain Fiber, which is fighting chronic disease by increasing dietary fiber in non-GMO, commodity wheat—the world’s most- consumed food. More than 70 scientists and practitioners across the US and globally participate, including 10 University of Nebraska Lincoln and University of Nebraska Medical Center faculty. We will also discuss opportunities in other crops to increase production value by enhancing public health for all socioeconomic groups, that financially rewards farmers with no change in consumer price or food choice; and approaches to support consumer preferences to buy healthier foods through education and retail strategies.
Coalition for Grain Fiber
Initiative in which farmers financially benefit when they choose to save government money in reduced healthcare cost, by increasing dietary fiber in non- GMO, commodity wheat.
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Agenda
November 7 | 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM Includes lunch
Registration
• Session 1: Introduction to wheat fiber for rural wealth and health.
• Session 2A: Increasing farmer financial return in wheat and other commodities.
• Session 2B: Developing the agriculture-based health and resilience opportunity.
• Session 3: The path forward.
• Session 1: Introduction to wheat fiber for rural wealth and health.
• Session 2A: Increasing farmer financial return in wheat and other commodities.
• Session 2B: Developing the agriculture-based health and resilience opportunity.
• Session 3: The path forward.
Help provide a triple win!
Community health, grower profit,
and reduced healthcare cost
Our Speakers
Stephen Baenziger, PhD
FIHF Chair of the Board
Emeritus Professor and Wheat Growers Presidential Chair,
University of Nebraska
Former primary small grains breeder at the University of Nebraska and a world leader in wheat breeding, Dr. Baenziger’s laboratory successfully developed and released dozens of wheat and other crop cultivars and germplasm. The author of over 300 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Baenziger’s research focuses on developing improved breeding methods, with an emphasis on use of biotechnology. Stephen Baenziger served as advisor to multiple projects, including the Golden Rice initiative, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the International Rice Research Institute.
Andrew Benson, PhD
Director,
Nebraska Food for Health Center
University of Nebraska
Dr. Benson’s research group studies the complex sets of host and dietary factors that influence composition and function of the gut microbiome. His group is spearheading the discovery component of the Nebraska Food for Health Center using complex trait analysis in crop plants to define components and molecules that can impact the gut microbiome of humans. For complex phenotyping, Dr. Benson’s team uses in vitro microbiomes in high-throughput screens of milled grains from large genetic resource populations of crop plants. This approach enables rapid measurement of genetic variants, and define pathways and molecules capable of influencing members of the gut microbiome.
Jean Ann Fischer
Human Sciences Program Leader,
Director of Nutrition Education Program
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Licensed Medical Nutrition Therapist, Jean Ann Fischer is dedicated to enhancing health and well-being across Nebraska through comprehensive strategies that include individual and policy-level interventions.
With a Master of Science in Nutrition Science from UNL, Jean Ann combines her expertise in nutrition science, medicine, and behavior to address chronic disease prevention and promote healthy food systems. Her work focuses on implementing and evaluating health initiatives that foster positive behavior change and improve community health outcomes. Additionally, she is committed to advancing clinical, community, and leadership skills for nutrition and health professionals, ensuring the highest standards of practice in the field.
With a Master of Science in Nutrition Science from UNL, Jean Ann combines her expertise in nutrition science, medicine, and behavior to address chronic disease prevention and promote healthy food systems. Her work focuses on implementing and evaluating health initiatives that foster positive behavior change and improve community health outcomes. Additionally, she is committed to advancing clinical, community, and leadership skills for nutrition and health professionals, ensuring the highest standards of practice in the field.
Jake Westlin
Vice President of Policy and Communications National Association of Wheat Growers
Since the Fall of 2022, Jake Westlin has served as NAWG’s Vice President of Policy and Communications. Since joining the organization, he previously served as the Director of Policy and Communications and its Government Relations Representative. Before joining NAWG in 2019, Jake spent over six years working in the Senate, covering issues related to agriculture, public lands, and food and nutrition policy. He started as an intern with Senator Kent Conrad (D- ND) and worked as a Legislative Aide for Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND). He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND.
Jeffrey P Gold, M.D.
President
University of Nebraska System
Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold became the ninth president of the University of Nebraska System in July 2024, leading a four-campus system that enrolls nearly 50,000 students and 16,000 faculty and staff. With an annual budget of $3 billion, the university includes a Big Ten institution, an academic health sciences center, and research institutes focused on agriculture, national security, and early childhood education.
Previously, Dr. Gold served as chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and the Nebraska Medicine Health System from 2014 to 2024, overseeing seven colleges and 37 research institutes. He has also held roles as Provost and Executive Vice President of the University of Nebraska System and concurrently as chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. A nationally recognized leader in higher education and healthcare, Dr. Gold has authored over 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts. He earned his M.D. from Weill Cornell College of Medicine and completed advanced surgical training at New York–Presbyterian Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Gold is board-certified in adult and pediatric cardiac surgery and plays an active role in national and state-level boards related to education, healthcare, and economic development.
Previously, Dr. Gold served as chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and the Nebraska Medicine Health System from 2014 to 2024, overseeing seven colleges and 37 research institutes. He has also held roles as Provost and Executive Vice President of the University of Nebraska System and concurrently as chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. A nationally recognized leader in higher education and healthcare, Dr. Gold has authored over 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts. He earned his M.D. from Weill Cornell College of Medicine and completed advanced surgical training at New York–Presbyterian Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Gold is board-certified in adult and pediatric cardiac surgery and plays an active role in national and state-level boards related to education, healthcare, and economic development.
Rod Wallace
FIHF Foundation President
With a background combining international business, economics, and technology, Dr. Wallace leads teams integrating diverse expertise into a coherent purpose that benefits society while delivering stakeholder value. Wallace received his PhD from the University of Michigan and was a Fulbright Fellow researcher for the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. He then worked in corporate strategy and frontline business leadership with global food company Cargill. In the US and Europe, Wallace led multi-organization, billion-dollar business initiatives in flour milling, oil refining, cocoa and chocolate, pharmaceutical distribution, and other industries. Wallace co-developed the concept for the Foundation for Innovation in Healthy Food, based on ideas introduced in his TEDx presentation. He believes that pragmatic innovation is critical for society to flourish in this generation and the next.
Shannon Pinson, PhD
Research Geneticist,
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, Stuttgart, AR
Dr. Pinson has dedicated 41 years to rice genetic improvement, with 35 of those years as a Research Geneticist at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). Since 2012, she has been based at the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Dr. Pinson’s lifelong passion for improving human health through agriculture has driven her career as a crop plant scientist, where her research continues to make significant contributions to the field.
Katherine Frels, PhD
Assistant Professor - Small Grains Breeding and Genetics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Since joining the the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2021, Dr. Frels has led research focused on developing improved varieties of winter wheat, barley, and triticale, with an emphasis on traits that address biotic and abiotic stress challenges, such as wheat stem sawfly, rust diseases, Fusarium head blight, winter hardiness, and drought tolerance.
Her work, recognized for its dedication to both enhancing the nutritional benefits of wheat-based foods and creating value-added products for Nebraska wheat growers, continues the long-standing tradition of wheat research at UNL. Dr. Frels also actively manages research objectives, supervises peer-reviewed publications, and leads efforts to secure funding for small grains breeding programs. She frequently shares her findings at scientific conferences, grower meetings, and other educational forums.
Her work, recognized for its dedication to both enhancing the nutritional benefits of wheat-based foods and creating value-added products for Nebraska wheat growers, continues the long-standing tradition of wheat research at UNL. Dr. Frels also actively manages research objectives, supervises peer-reviewed publications, and leads efforts to secure funding for small grains breeding programs. She frequently shares her findings at scientific conferences, grower meetings, and other educational forums.
Dr. David Holding
Professor,
Associate Department Head
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Dr. David Holding is a leading plant biologist whose research focuses on enhancing the nutritional value of staple crops like maize, sorghum, and popcorn. His work utilizes genome editing and complex trait analysis to improve protein quality and digestibility in these crops. Key recent contributions from Dr. Holding include editing the alpha-zein gene family to develop non-opaque quality protein maize, improving lysine content in sorghum through stable genome edits, and producing quality protein popcorn hybrids that benefit both nutrition and the human gut microbiome. His research continues to advance crop breeding and food security through precision molecular techniques.
As an Associate Department Head at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln since 2022, Dr. Holding plays a key role in managing research, teaching, and curriculum development, with a focus on enhancing graduate education.
As an Associate Department Head at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln since 2022, Dr. Holding plays a key role in managing research, teaching, and curriculum development, with a focus on enhancing graduate education.
Georgia Jones, PhD
Associate Professor, Extension Food Specialist
Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Dr. Jones is committed to educating individuals and families about making informed, health-conscious decisions regarding their food choices and overall well-being. Her expertise and outreach initiatives play a vital role in fostering healthier lifestyles and improving public health in Nebraska. Her work emphasizes food preparation and nutrition, spanning several program areas, including local foods, human health, and fruit and vegetable production, all aimed at enhancing community well-being.
Dr. Jones has co-authored numerous publications on critical topics such as food preservation, nutrition for athletes, and public health issues like poverty. Actively engaging with communities, she encourages healthier living and the adoption of sustainable food practices. Notable recent publications include “Let’s Preserve: Drying Foods at Home,” a guide for safe food dehydration, and “Protein Needs of an Athlete,” which offers essential nutrition strategies to optimize performance and recovery for young athletes.
Dr. Jones has co-authored numerous publications on critical topics such as food preservation, nutrition for athletes, and public health issues like poverty. Actively engaging with communities, she encourages healthier living and the adoption of sustainable food practices. Notable recent publications include “Let’s Preserve: Drying Foods at Home,” a guide for safe food dehydration, and “Protein Needs of an Athlete,” which offers essential nutrition strategies to optimize performance and recovery for young athletes.
Conrad Lyford, PhD
Professor,
Agricultural and Applied Economics
Texas Tech University
Dr. Lynford specializes in consumer behavior and health economics, with a focus on enhancing food security and improving health outcomes through agribusiness and behavioral economics.
With extensive experience in building relationships with healthcare organizations, agribusinesses, and industry partners, he has successfully developed and implemented impactful research and teaching programs. Notably, Dr. Lynford spearheaded the establishment of the Master of Agribusiness program, integrating innovative research in agribusiness with health care economics. His work often involves leading transdisciplinary research projects, resulting in significant publications and funding that bridge these critical fields.
With extensive experience in building relationships with healthcare organizations, agribusinesses, and industry partners, he has successfully developed and implemented impactful research and teaching programs. Notably, Dr. Lynford spearheaded the establishment of the Master of Agribusiness program, integrating innovative research in agribusiness with health care economics. His work often involves leading transdisciplinary research projects, resulting in significant publications and funding that bridge these critical fields.
Nathan Mueller, PhD
State Soil Health Specialist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Dr. Mueller completed his PhD in agronomy at Kansas State University, where his research focused on nitrogen use in winter annual weeds in no-till corn systems, as well as liquid starter and foliar micronutrient fertilizers for high-yield irrigated corn and soybeans.
He has held diverse roles in agriculture, including working for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s Soil Conservation Division and serving as an assistant professor and state Extension agronomist at South Dakota State University. From 2014 to 2024, he served as a Water and Cropping Systems Extension Educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Since June 2024, Nathan has worked for the USDA NRCS in Nebraska as the State Soil Health Specialist. He is also a Certified Crop Adviser and remains actively engaged with the agricultural community.
He has held diverse roles in agriculture, including working for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s Soil Conservation Division and serving as an assistant professor and state Extension agronomist at South Dakota State University. From 2014 to 2024, he served as a Water and Cropping Systems Extension Educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Since June 2024, Nathan has worked for the USDA NRCS in Nebraska as the State Soil Health Specialist. He is also a Certified Crop Adviser and remains actively engaged with the agricultural community.
Royce Schaneman
Executive Director,
Nebraska Wheat Board
Royce Schaneman serves as the executive director of the Nebraska Wheat Board (NWB), established in 1955. The board, composed of a seven-member team of appointed wheat producers, directs policies that oversee an excise tax on each bushel of wheat marketed in Nebraska. Under Royce’s leadership, these funds support international and domestic marketing, research, federal farm policy, and educational initiatives, making him an influential figure in both the wheat industry and the broader agricultural community.
A native Nebraskan, Royce grew up on a diversified farm near Minatare. He pursued his education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, majoring in Diversified Agriculture and Animal Science. With a strong agricultural foundation, he has gained valuable experience through the Cooperative Extension Service and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, maintaining a close connection to all facets of the agricultural sector, from production and processing to marketing.
A native Nebraskan, Royce grew up on a diversified farm near Minatare. He pursued his education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, majoring in Diversified Agriculture and Animal Science. With a strong agricultural foundation, he has gained valuable experience through the Cooperative Extension Service and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, maintaining a close connection to all facets of the agricultural sector, from production and processing to marketing.
Payam Vahmani, PhD
Assistant Professor,
Nutritional Enhancement of Animal Sourced Foods
University of California, Davis
Dr. Vahmani’s research aims to enhance the nutritional and health value of animal-sourced foods for human consumption. He develops strategies to increase bioactive nutrients in meat, milk, poultry, fish, and eggs while promoting animal health and sustainable practices. His work investigates the health effects of functional animal foods through cell culture, animal models, and clinical trials, focusing on their role in human health, chronic disease prevention, and nutrient deficiency mitigation. He explores animal nutrient farming to align food production with personalized dietary needs.
Dr. Vahmani conducts feeding studies at both whole animal and molecular levels to identify enriched products, supported by biochemical and physiological studies. He collaborates with researchers to assess human health impacts, evaluate the carbon footprint of production, and analyze sensory qualities of enhanced foods. His recent publications reflect a commitment to advancing animal nutrition and its implications for human health.
Dr. Vahmani conducts feeding studies at both whole animal and molecular levels to identify enriched products, supported by biochemical and physiological studies. He collaborates with researchers to assess human health impacts, evaluate the carbon footprint of production, and analyze sensory qualities of enhanced foods. His recent publications reflect a commitment to advancing animal nutrition and its implications for human health.
Maruša Jonas
Food, Nutrition and Health,
University of Nebraska Extension Educator
Extension Educator with the Nutrition Education Program. Ms. Jonas’ focus is providing direct nutrition education to limited-resource audiences and implementing and growing the DISH: Real Talk about food project. She graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Exercise and, Health Science and earned a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Health Sciences, specializing in Nutrition and Exercise. As a former professional athlete, she is passionate about sports nutrition and human performance and helping others live an active and healthy lifestyle.
Schedule
Time
Agenda
Speaker
9:00am - 9:05am
Overview of the Day's Program and Introduction
Dr. Andrew Benson
Director, Nebraska Food for Health Center University of Nebraska
9:05am - 9:15am
Opening Remarks
Dr. Jeffrey Gold, M.D
President, University of Nebraska System
9:15am - 9:20am
Speaker Introduction
Royce Schaneman
Executive Director, Nebraska Wheat Board
9:20am - 10:00am
Transforming Global Food Supply:
Wheat Fiber as a Fuel for Rural Wealth and Health
Dr. Rod Wallace
President,
Foundation for Innovation in Healthy Food (FIHF)
10:00am - 10:30am
Breakout and Questions and Answers
Facilitated
10:30am - 10:45am
Wheat and Ecosystem Services:
Enhancing Farm Resilience through Increased-Fiber Wheat
Dr. Nathan Mueller
State Soil Health Specialist,
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
10:45am - 11:00am
Break
11:00am - 11:05am
Speaker Introduction
Dr. Stephen Baenziger
FIHF Chair of the Board
Emeritus Professor and Wheat Growers’ Presidential Chair, University of Nebraska
11:05am - 12:05pm
Expanding Nutrient Innovation to the Majority of the Global Diet: Wheat, Corn, Rice, and Animal-Based Foods (Topic Introduction and Wheat follow-on projects)
Dr. Katherine Frels
Assistant Professor - Small Grains Breeding and Genetics,
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
11:05am - 12:05pm
How Can We Enhance Human Health by Improving The Nutritional Value of Rice?
Dr. Shannon Pinson
Research Geneticist, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, Stuttgart, AR
11:05am - 12:05pm
How Can We Enhance Human Health by Improving The Nutritional Value of Corn?
Dr. David Holding
Professor, Associate Department Head
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
11:05am - 12:05pm
How Can We Enhance Human Health by Improving The Nutritional Value of Animal Based Foods?
Dr. Payam Vahmani
Assistant Professor, Nutritional Enhancement of Animal Sourced Foods
University of California, Davis
12:05pm - 12:45pm
Lunch
12:45pm - 1:00pm
Dietary Fiber:
A Powerful Tool in the Fight Against Chronic Disease
Jean Ann Fischer
Human Sciences Program Leader, Director of Nutrition Education Program, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
1:00pm - 1:15pm
Preparation for the Afternoon Sessions
Farmer Session 2A
Time
Agenda
Speaker
1:15pm - 1:35pm
Wheat Fiber:
Business Benefits for Farmers, Go-to-Market Strategy, and Baking Industry Integration
Dr. Rod Wallace,
Dr. Stephen Baenziger
Dr. Stephen Baenziger
1:35pm - 2:10pm
Advancing Wheat Fiber Through Policy:
Securing 2030 Farm Bill Funding for Increased-Fiber Certified Wheat Seed
Jake Westlin
Vice President of Policy and Communications
National Association of Wheat Growers
2:10pm - 2:45pm
Breakout and Questions and Answers
2:45pm - 3:00pm
Communication with Other Farmers Breakout
Facilitated
3:00pm - 3:15pm
Break
3:15pm - 4:40pm
Strategizing the Path Forward:
Mobilizing Farmers and Markets for Increased-Fiber Wheat
Facilitated
4:40pm - 5:30pm
Bringing It All Together:
Key Takeaways and Next Steps for Advancing Increased-Fiber Wheat
Facilitated
Public Health and Food Supply Chain Session 2B
Time
Agenda
Speaker
1:15pm - 2:15pm
Building a Baseline:
Understanding Key Communities and Stakeholder Perspectives on Dietary Fiber and Increased-Fiber Wheat
(Facilitated Session)
(Facilitated Session)
Jean Ann Fischer,
Dr. Georgia Jones,
Maruša Jonas
Dr. Georgia Jones,
Maruša Jonas
2:15pm - 3:15pm
Strengthening Community Education on Dietary Fiber’s Role in Preventing and Managing Chronic Disease
(Facilitated Session)
Jean Ann Fischer,
Dr. Georgia Jones,
Maruša Jonas
Dr. Georgia Jones,
Maruša Jonas
3:15pm - 3:25pm
Break
3:25pm - 3:45pm
Transforming Consumer Experiences with Savory Baked Goods:
Supporting Health-Conscious Choices and Boosting Retailer Returns
Facilitated
3:45pm - 4:40pm
Projecting the Health Benefits of Fighting Chronic Disease with Increased-Fiber Wheat, Especially Related to Cardiovascular Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and Colorectal Cancer
(Facilitated Session)
Dr. Conrad Lyford
Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics
Texas Tech University
4:40pm - 5:30pm
Key Takeaways and Next Steps for Advancing Increased-Fiber Wheat
Facilitated