You can’t really argue that the waving wheat in the photo isn’t a beautiful amber color just like the national song talks about. That’s why North Dakota was featured on NBC’s Today Show, when the show ran a feature on the beauty of America.

Early this morning, North Dakota producer Jay Elkin was featured in a story produced by the New York based NBC Today Show. It was part of ‘America The Beautiful,’ a series highlighting areas that are unique and majestic throughout the fifty states.

This really began about three weeks ago when NBC’s producer Meredith Reis contacted the office of the North Dakota Grain Growers Association (NDGGA) in search of a field of amber waves of grain. “At first we questioned whether this was something that fit the purpose of why this office was created,” said Sheena Johnson, Communications Specialist for NDGGA. “But as we began thinking about the recent negative press surrounding issues such as the Farm Bill and Disaster Assistance, we knew, as we represent the producers, that this was an excellent opportunity to show the true character of our producers and North Dakota.”

The live location reveal took place just south of Taylor, ND in a spring wheat field farmed by Jay Elkin. “I really felt at ease during the live interview,” stated Mr. Elkin. “I had many conversations with Meredith the producer, and spent ten hours with the crew while they were here filming footage for the reveal lead up so I really felt comfortable when we went live.”

“I think it’s a privilege and an honor that they came to my farm and wanted to interview me but the real purpose was to showcase North Dakota and my farm was just a small piece of that.”