Hickman Recognized For 25 Years Of Service

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) was proud to recognize Phil Hickman, program director for the Virginia Corn Board, for 25 years of service to the organization during its 61st Annual Board of Delegates Meeting held in July.

“My journey and time with getting to know and take part with the U.S. Grains Council began when I started managing the Virginia Corn Board,” Hickman said. “It’s important to continue to spread the message of the United States being the number one supplier of grains around the world to our customers and potential new customers.”

Throughout his years of service, Hickman has participated in several overseas trade missions with other state commodity board executives and has visited around 15 countries as part of the Council’s outreach efforts. He says one of his USGC memories that stands out most was a trip to Russia to present on the value of U.S. corn.

“They were just so interested. This was after the Soviet Union had broken up and they were struggling,” he said. “It seemed like that time, in Moscow, they were really interested in what we had to say and what they could learn from us.”

Hickman said seeing representatives from his board participate in Council activities, both from a governance standpoint as well as in trade missions around the world, has been the most rewarding part.

“When they go, they’re able to tell the story of the Virginia farmer and the American farmer. I think that’s very believable to our customers, to hear it from [the farmer].”

Please help us in thanking Phil Hickman for his service to the Council and commitment to promoting U.S. grains around the world!