Kamut leader passes torch

Kamut brand keeps leadership in the family

MONTANA LIVING — What started with a handful of wheat 35 years ago in an Egyptian tomb has grown to be a family enterprise and project spanning three generations that today is a well-known global brand in the world of organic farming and food.

Now that brand has a new leader. Under Bob Quinn's leadership, a progressive farmer from northcentral Montana, Kamut International has been at the forefront of regenerative organic agriculture since its origins and has been committed to promoting the philosophy of "food as medicine" as a means of promoting health and prevention of diet-related chronic diseases. 

Trevor Blyth, left, and Bob Quinn of Kamut International

After many decades of dedication and hard work, Quinn is passing the hat on to his nephew Trevor Blyth. "I have great confidence in Trevor," Quinn said. "For the past 15 years, he has grown with and been running the business side of Kamut International, helping to build a global brand."

The story of KAMUT® Brand khorasan wheat began in 1964 when Quinn saw for the first time at the age of 16 while attending a nearby county fair, an unusual-looking grain referred to as "King Tut Wheat." After finishing his Ph.D. in Plant Biochemistry, Quinn remembered the grain and developed an idea that would eventually transform his life and life's work. 

Research and the pursuit of knowledge and understanding have always been Quinn's passion and the center of his focus. His journey with KAMUT® Brand khorasan wheat has been motivated by the question, "Why do people report that they can eat and enjoy KAMUT® khorasan wheat despite not being able to consume other wheat products?"

Reflecting on the evolution of this journey, Quinn admits not having any idea that 35 years later, the same ancient grain that he first saw in his youth would be planted on up to 100,000+ acres in a single year in Montana and Saskatchewan and would be exported all over the world to be made into organic food products.

Blyth is honored to take KAMUT wheat to another level. "KAMUT® Brand khorasan wheat itself is amazing, but on top of that, it inspires me to be able to continue our commitment to providing people with healthy and nutritious food and at the same time contributing to improving the health of the environment."
The Quinn family farm has served as Bob's working laboratory to test, document, and share his findings with farmers and thought leaders in the U.S. and worldwide.

Among more recent accomplishments was leading the First International Conference of Wheat Landraces in the summer of 2018. Bob's ongoing research projects have helped further an understanding of the differences between ancient wheat and modern wheat and how starting with healthy soils produces healthy food and healthy people.

While Bob hands things over to the next generation, Trevor comments, "Bob, even though I don't expect you to, I'm telling you that you don't get to just ride off into the sunset. You know I'll be calling on you for your advice."