U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Advisory Teams (A-Teams) are a critical engagement opportunity for the Council’s grain producers, agribusiness members and general farm organization members to identify opportunities, set priorities and chart the course of the Council annually. Each A-Team was created with a specific geographical region or topic in mind.
The Asia, Western Hemisphere and Middle East/Africa/South Asia (MEASA) teams have a geographic focus, examining all areas of Council involvement with respect to their geographic areas.
There are also four topical teams: Ethanol, Innovation and Sustainability, Trade Policy and Value-Added. Interests in the geographical and topical teams often overlap, for example, the Value-Added A-Team may review programs in the Western Hemisphere while also discussing innovation and sustainability policies.
“Participation in advisory teams not only gives our members an opportunity to learn about what we are doing around the globe, but also an avenue to provide input, give direction and share ideas on strategy for programs that the Council may carry out globally,” said Ryan LeGrand, U.S. Grains Council President and CEO, in a new video the Council created on A-Teams.
Each A-Team is led by a designated member of the Council, a staff member and a USGC Board of Directors liaison, with each playing a unique role to further the mission of the Council and the efficiency and engagement of the A-Team.
This partnership between members, Council staff and USGC board members is critical to the organization’s success because it leverages unique member perspectives, organizational experience and grassroots leadership. Goals and priorities of the A-Teams are shared with the USGC Board of Directors to determine the overall strategic trajectory of the organization’s programs and priorities in emerging and existing markets.
A-Team members serve two-year terms contingent on their membership organization’s approval. These terms are renewable without limits at the discretion of the A-Team. Each of these teams meets virtually via Zoom calls and at two annual in-person membership meetings.
More information on each A-Team can be found here.
About The U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.