U.S. Grains Council (USGC) members came together this week in Greenville, S.C., for the organization’s 19th International Marketing Conference (IMC) and 62nd Annual Membership Meeting.
The week’s agenda covered topics including the trade relationship with China, trade policy and sea logistics before focusing more specifically on market development programs and funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The first general session featured a recorded message from U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, followed by Jason Hafemeister, USDA’s acting deputy under secretary for trade and foreign affairs; Sharon Yuan, president of the Asia Group; Bill Rooney, vice president of strategic development for Kuehne & Nagel; and John Lummus, president and CEO of the Upstate SC Alliance.
On Monday afternoon and Tuesday, the Council’s Advisory Teams (A-Teams) and sector groups came together to discuss their priorities and recommendations for the year.
These groups have the opportunity to meet with the Council’s international staff each year at IMC to discuss trade policy and market development issues with those that are working directly in those markets around the world.
“The direction offered by both our international directors, our colleagues in our national headquarters and our industry partners during this important meeting will help the Council grow global markets around the world for U.S. corn, sorghum barley and co-products,” said USGC Chairman Chad Willis.
During the annual Board of Delegates meeting held on Wednesday, Council members heard from Dr. Gary Williams, professor of agricultural economics, retired, at Texas A&M University, about the economic impact of the Agricultural Trade Promotion program and other USDA market development programs, and Mark Slupek USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s (FAS’s) deputy administrator of global programs, with an overview of agricultural foreign market development funding.
Additionally, on Wednesday, A-Team leaders and sector directors presented their recommendations and priorities for the year before longtime Council members and staff were recognized for their years of service.
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.