The Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board’s Ken Rosenow and Dave Adams bracketed the list of service recognitions at last week’s U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) winter annual meeting – Adams with five years as a delegate and Rosenow with 30 years – but when asked about their Council service, both start by praising the people they’ve met.

“If you’re new, try to visit as many of the different A-Teams (Advisory Teams) as possible,” Adams said. “It really gives you a feel for what’s going on and what everyone is trying to do.”

Rosenow echoed Adams sentiment.

“Don’t sit back in the last row and look at the floor,” Rosenow said. “The more you get involved, the more you’ll love it and see how worthwhile it is.”

Rosenow values the formal meetings but also cites the benefits of informal discussions in the hallways or over a glass of beer.

Both men also highlight what they’ve learned on international producer missions. Adams calls his 2002 mission to Russia “amazing.”

“One of the first things I did in 1984 when I joined the Council was to go on a Pioneer mission,” Rosenow said. “I met Owen Newlin right away, and his feeling for the Council was just infectious. Then you go overseas where you see all the good things the Council is doing. It just hooks you right away.”

Asked about what excites him going forward, he cites MAIZALL, an alliance formed between Argentine, Brazilian and American corn farmers to collaborate on issues of food security, biotechnology, stewardship, trade and producer image.

“We’re reaching out in the world, and the more we can do that, the better it will be,” Rosenow said. “For anybody growing grain, the Council is truly a vital investment.”

Both were honored on Feb. 11 at the Council’s winter annual meeting in Heredia, Costa Rica, along with other USGC staff and members celebrating notable anniversaries. Click here for more information about the meeting.