Wrapping up six years on the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC) board of directors and 16 years of work with the Council, Monsanto’s Jim Tobin can’t emphasize enough how impressed he is with USGC’s work around the world.

“I think the Council has done a terrific job of getting ahead of the issues and answering questions from traders and foreign governments about why U.S. farmers use biotechnology and what it means,” he said in an interview.

Tobin believes taking farmers to meet with trading partners makes a huge difference in their understanding and respect for U.S. agriculture and all that it involves, including biotechnology. He notes the contributions of Council grower members like Maryland’s Chip Councell and Iowa’s Gordon Wassenaar who host foreign teams on their farms.

“These teams go home having had a personal experience with U.S. agriculture. I don’t think many of them expected that when they got on the plane to come here,” Tobin explained.

Like so many Council leaders, he said he believes the most important thing a member can do is to get involved. He strongly recommends getting on an advisory team.

“The A-teams are something the Council has that is unique. You get a cross-section of industry, farmers and sometimes academics working together to help each other solve challenges and come up with better solutions.”

Tobin also had high praise for USGC president Tom Sleight and the Council staff.

“I give Tom a lot of credit. He’s not only recruited and trained a talented staff, but he’s given them a lot of responsibility. As a board member, it’s been wonderful to watch them develop and come into their own where the Council needs their expertise.”