In partnership with the Iowa Corn, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, South Dakota Corn, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the Yeutter Institute at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, U.S. Grains Council (USGC) staff were in Omaha last week to share information about trade policy and market development with farmers in the region.
This third trade school event of 2022 focused on the importance of exports to farm profitability; current issues on the trade agenda; and how participants can talk about overseas markets in their communities and organizations. Speakers included University of Nebraska-Lincoln professors, staff from USGC and NCGA, farmers who have been involved in this work in recent years and the vice president for ethanol at Green Plains, at whose headquarters the event was hosted.
“Trade school highlights valuable partners we have regionally and allows us to bring these big, complex issues to our stakeholders,” said Ellen Zimmerman, USGC director of industry relations.
The 35 registrants in attendance had the chance to discuss and share their opinions about trade-related issues, arming them with resources to take back with them to their home communities.
“Trade remains a hot topic among our members, and the goal of trade school really is to offer context to the headlines and help farmers feel good talking about and engaging with trade issues,” said Melissa Kessler, USGC director of strategic initiatives and engagement. “We are happy to offer these tools to our member organizations and producers directly and to see them get even more involved in the work of building overseas markets.”
The Council looks forward to hosting more regional trade school events in the future with its partners. In the meantime, the Council’s website is a great resource for learning more about trade policy and market development. Visit the Learn About Trade webpage to find backgrounders and web resources on all things trade policy and market development.
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.