Two outstanding leaders in Oklahoma agriculture were recognized during the 2026 Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association Annual Meeting held July 8 at the Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford.
The Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association presented the 2026 Mr. Wheat Award to Dennis Schoenhals of Kremlin, one of the association’s highest honors recognizing individuals whose lives have been dedicated to Oklahoma wheat production, agricultural leadership, and service to their communities.
Schoenhals, alongside his wife, Pam, and son, Trev, operates a multi-generational farming operation near Kremlin, raising wheat, soybeans, corn, alfalfa, grass hay, and cattle. In addition to his lifelong commitment to farming, Schoenhals built a distinguished career in agricultural finance, serving as an agricultural lender with the Federal Land Bank Association of Enid and Farm Credit Association after earning a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma State University.
Throughout his career, Schoenhals has been a tireless advocate for wheat producers. He served on the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association Board of Directors and as president of the association. Nationally, he represented Oklahoma on the National Association of Wheat Growers Board of Directors, where he chaired both the Environment & Research Committee and the Nominating Committee, helping shape policies benefiting wheat growers across the country. He currently serves on the Wheat Foundation Board, continuing his commitment to advancing the future of the wheat industry.
His commitment to service extends well beyond agriculture. Schoenhals has served on the Grand National Gun Club Board, Grand National Quail Club Board, Garfield County Industrial Authority Board, a local school board, and the Boy Scouts of America council board. He is also an active member of First United Methodist Church in Enid, where he has served on numerous committees.
Schoenhals comes from a family with generations of wheat farming history, tracing his direct ancestors’ wheat production across Germany, Ukraine, and the United States.
“Mr. Wheat recognizes individuals who have devoted their lives to advancing Oklahoma’s wheat industry through leadership, service, and stewardship,” said Kathy Fowler, president of the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association. “Dennis embodies everything this award represents, and we are proud to recognize his lasting contributions to agriculture.”
The Oklahoma Wheat Commission presented the 2026 Staff of Life Award to Tammy Miller in recognition of her exceptional service and unwavering commitment to Oklahoma agriculture.
Miller has dedicated 46 years to the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association, where she serves as Director of Member Services. Throughout her career, she has become an invaluable resource to Oklahoma’s agricultural community, supporting producers, industry partners, and association members across the state.
In addition to her work with the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association, Miller provides member services for the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association, Oklahoma Agricultural Retailers Association, Oklahoma Sorghum Producers, Oklahoma Seed Trade Association, and the Oklahoma Certified Crop Advisers program.
Her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving Oklahoma agriculture have made a lasting impact on the wheat industry and the many organizations she has faithfully supported throughout her career. The Oklahoma Wheat Commission recognized Miller with the Staff of Life Award for her outstanding service and decades of dedication to Oklahoma’s wheat industry and agricultural community.
The Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association and Oklahoma Wheat Commission congratulate Dennis Schoenhals and Tammy Miller on these well-deserved recognitions and thank them for their lasting contributions to Oklahoma agriculture.
