The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) recognized Tadd Nicholson for 20 years of service to the organization at the Council’s 65th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in Grand Rapids, MI, held July 30-Aug. 1.
Nicholson serves as executive director of Ohio Corn & Wheat, where he leads the organization’s investment and involvement with fellow agricultural organizations and international markets.
“I became familiar with the Council as a young staff member and the breadth of it was worldwide and it was a lot to take in, but I began to understand the role of facilitating trade, being a trusted source of information and solving problems for customers,” Nicholson said.
Nicholson’s favorite parts of the job are welcoming trade teams to Ohio to visit farms and facilities that help meet global demand for agricultural products and seeing new markets be developed for U.S. producers.
“We went over to Nigeria years ago to discuss an ethanol blending program there and we thought we would need to do some convincing,” Nicholson said. “Instead, an official the Council brought to an ethanol conference in the U.S. started pitching the idea to his boss for us, and I realized I was watching market development in action.”
Connecting with Ohio farmers is a highlight of Nicholson’s role, allowing him to share the importance of international trade and market dynamics and relating it back to family operations.
“I really enjoy describing the fact that you as a farmer in this little county in Ohio, even if you don’t leave the area that much, you are farming in a world market,” Nicholson said.
“To be able to describe that to some farmers is eye opening at times, seeing them gain a new appreciation for their role in the global food system, is exciting for me and it really is because of the system the Council has created.”
Outside the office, Nicholson enjoys talking to his sons-in-law, both farmers, about their operations and seeing what issues are important to young farmers to keep the work of Ohio Corn & Wheat and the Council valuable to their members.
Please join the Council in congratulating Tadd for his 20 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.