Jerry R. Kress*
American Falls
American Falls
Jerry R. Kress of American Falls is being inducted into the 2016 Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame for his contributions to the grain industry.
For many years Kress was the sole operator of 3,000 acres of dryland farm ground where he raised three classes of wheat, oilseeds and alfalfa hay. Since 1996 he has operated the farm in conjunction with his son, Jon. Agricultural improvements include the construction of terraces and contour farming on all fields.
Kress has traveled around the world three times and spent several decades in service to the wheat industry. He has visited over 20 countries which either buy U.S. wheat or compete with U.S. wheat for world markets. Among his many contributions to agriculture, Kress has been a director of the Power County Grain Producers Association, the Idaho Grain Producers Association and a member of the U.S. Wheat Associates Board of Directors.
Kress was instrumental in the establishment of the Idaho Barley Commission in the 1980’s and in the transition of the grower’s organization from the Idaho State Wheat Growers Association to the Idaho Grain Producers Association.
He and wife, Gwen, are the parents of three children.
* Deceased