The Washington Grain Commission was created in 1958 as the Washington Wheat Commission by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) with the support of Eastern Washington farmers. The goal of the group, as explained by the director of the WSDA at the time was, “to do as a group what cannot be done alone.” The name of the organization was changed to the Washington Grain Commission in 2009 when barley came under the auspices of the organization. The current commission board is made up of seven farmer members, two industry representatives and a representative of the WSDA.

An assessment levied on wheat harvested in Eastern Washington at the rate of three-quarters of one percent of the net receipts at the first point of sale, supports the commission. An annual assessment on barley is levied at the rate of 1 percent of the net receipts at the first point of sale. Money collected from assessments is used to fund research, market development and education.