Two USGC Members Recognized For Reaching Membership Milestones

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) recognized members who reached milestone anniversaries of service to the organization at its 64th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting, held July 29-31, in Salt Lake City, UT. In addition to receiving a commemorative plaque marking their achievement, members also had the chance to speak with Global Update editors and have their experiences highlighted.

Steven Edwardson is the executive administrator for the North Dakota Barley Council and has been a Council member for 20 years. During his time collaborating with USGC, Edwardson hosted numerous international trade teams related to barley, specializing in topics including livestock feed, malting and brewing and human food applications.

“USGC is an excellent organization in building the relationships required for international market development,” Edwardson said. “Teams from Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Central America and South America have gained information about U.S. barley production trends, supply, procurement strategies and logistics, developing into business relationships between suppliers and buyers.”

In conjunction with hosting trade teams, Edwardson has participated in many international trade missions himself. He shared that some of the most memorable trips included multiple food barley missions to Japan, Korea and Taiwan, as well as a malt barley market evaluation mission in the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

“Barley promotion missions in international markets are the building blocks to long term customer relationships,” Edwardson said. “People do business with people, and USGC provides a critical framework for relationship building to stimulate exports and gather market intelligence.”

Edwardson’s partnership with the Council has proven crucial in forging new trade connections and partnerships for the U.S. barley sector.

Hagan Rose serves as the director of international sales and marketing for Eco-Energy and has served the Council for five years. Throughout his time with the Council, Rose has traveled extensively on trade missions supporting Council objectives in ethanol policy overseas.

“Over the last five years, I’ve built relationships with Council members from all parts of the U.S. and all facets of our industry,” Rose said. “The work of the USGC staff is immense and complex, and the story is not always easily delivered. However, the benefit throughout the value chain is real and our successes have stacked up as we approach a record calendar year for U.S. exports.”

Rose’s efforts in coordination with the Council have provided tangible results through effective advocacy in trade policy and export initiatives.

Please join the Council in thanking Steven and Hagan for their service to the organization!