[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 149 (Thursday, September 15, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4636-S4637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                       RECOGNIZING HEARTLAND CHIA

 Mr. PAUL. Madam President, as ranking member of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize 
an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American 
entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize 
Heartland Chia of Franklin, KY, as the Senate Small Business of the 
Week.
  Chris Kummer's small business was founded on an idea that virtually 
no one thought possible: successful chia crops planted and harvested in 
the United States. But as a fifth-generation farmer, Mr. Kummer is no 
stranger to the challenges posed by mother nature. Thus, with decades 
of farming experience under his belt and a tireless dedication to his 
crops, Mr. Kummer has turned this once crazy idea into a thriving 
business. Founded in 2012, Heartland Chia develops and markets locally 
grown chia to buyers across the country. Chris's wife, Jill Kummer, 
joins her husband at the helm of their business, handling most of the 
marketing and administrative duties while her husband works with the 
crop directly in the field. Together, the Kummers are proud to be the 
only chia seed growers in the U.S.A., a tremendous feat that adds to 
the biodiversity of Kentucky's burgeoning agricultural industry.
  

  Mr. Kummer will be the first to tell you that his business would not 
be possible had it not been for the visionary researchers at the 
University of Kentucky College of Food, Agriculture, and Environment. 
Since his great-grandfather planted his first crop on their family farm 
in 1889, the Kummers have grown crops traditional to the Midwestern 
U.S., such as soy, wheat, and corn. It never occurred to them to plant 
chia as the plant requires a very

[[Page S4637]]

long summer in order to grow and produce seed, meaning that most of the 
world's chia plants are grown in regions near the equator, such as 
Central America. Farmers everywhere took it for granted that this plant 
could not be grown north of the U.S.-Mexico border, but the breeding 
program over at the University Kentucky sought to change that. Over a 
period spanning 6 to 8 years, researchers Dr. David Hildebrand and Dr. 
Tim Phillips, both plant and soil scientists, used decades old breeding 
methods to create a new strain of chia that would flower earlier in the 
year, allowing the crop to survive in less temperate climates than 
those near the equator. Once the scientists created a product they were 
confident in, they were careful in selecting a steward for their new 
``Early Flowering'' chia seed. Dr. Hildebrand knew Chris Kummer from 
his days as a student at UK and knew of his farming background; 
therefore he immediately came to mind.
  In 2011, Dr. Phillips and Dr. Hildebrand gave Mr. Kummer half the 
world's seed supply of this new strain of chia. In the first year of 
planting, the Kummers lost most of their chia crops, as they and the 
researchers over at University of Kentucky were still learning best 
practices for growing this new crop. But through the persistence 
instilled in him from his farmer forebears, Chris and his wife absorbed 
as much knowledge as they could from this first planting season and put 
it to the test the next year. By the end of their second planting 
season, the Kummers had already entered into commercial production. The 
success of this second season led UK to purchase a patent for the seed, 
ensuring that it only be used for benefit of American farmers, domestic 
food manufacturers, and domestic consumers.
  Today, Heartland Chia works with several farmers across four 
different States that all use the Kummer's chia for manufacturing 
processes. By producing this previously ungrowable plant in the U.S., 
the Kummers have not only added to the biodiversity of the State, they 
have created a reliable source of what is now widely considered ``a 
superfood.'' In a recent publication, the Mayo Clinic listed chia as 
one of the few foods truly deserving the distinction of ``superfood'' 
due its long list of health and nutritional benefits. Given this growth 
in consumer demand, it was only natural that Mr. Kummer would embark on 
this experimental journey with the support of his family, University of 
Kentucky scientists, as well as food manufacturers seeking top-quality 
chia.
  Chris has been celebrated for his innovative spirit as several food 
companies encouraged him to pursue this unlikely feat of growing chia 
on American soil. Chris has fulfilled a need within the U.S. market as 
many food suppliers lacked a reliable source for top quality chia 
seeds. After overcoming the odds, the Kummers continue to grow and 
produce their own chia and market their products direct to consumers 
and to food suppliers alike. Not only are they doing a great service to 
the economy and ecology of Kentucky, they are spreading the good word 
about an unlikely food that greatly bolsters our body's health. Through 
persistence and dedication, the Kummers have made their dream a 
reality, to the great benefit of Kentucky and beyond. Congratulations 
to Chris and Jill Kummer, along with the entire team at Heartland Chia. 
I thank you for your innovative outlook and entrepreneurial spirit, and 
I look forward to seeing your continued growth and success in 
Kentucky.

                          ____________________