U.S. Grains Council, Ag Industry Mourn The Loss Of Trade Policy Director Floyd Gaibler

U.S. Grains Council (USGC) members and global staff joined others in the agricultural community this week who are mourning the loss of USGC Director of Trade Policy and Biotechnology Floyd Gaibler.

Gaibler died last week following complications from surgery.

“Floyd was a good man who loved his work at the Council and in the agriculture community,” said USGC President and Chief Executive Officer Ryan LeGrand. “We are deeply saddened by his loss and grateful for the many contributions he made to our industry over a lifetime of work.

“He was not only a leader at the Council, but he spent many years at the USDA, and his trade policy footprints within our wide net of cooperator organizations will be forever part of the trade and agricultural landscape we all value so much.”

In his role with the Council, Gaibler worked with government officials and the White House to address trade policy issues related to the export of U.S. feed grains and their co-products.

His service to agriculture spanned more than 45 years in nearly every sector in Washington, but his most meaningful influence may have been on his colleagues.

“Floyd was known for his expertise in trade policy but, for those who had the privilege to know and work with Floyd, he will certainly be remembered for his humor, kindness and sincerity,” said Kim Atkins, Council vice president and chief operating officer. “Floyd was a true friend and mentor to so many.”

Earlier in his career, Gaibler served as deputy undersecretary for farm and foreign agricultural services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In that capacity, he provided leadership and guidance to programs administered by the Farm Service Agency, the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Risk Management Agency and international and food trade issues affecting the Foreign Agricultural Service.

He also worked for the House Committee on Agriculture; the Agriculture Retailers Association; the International Dairy Foods Association; the National Cheese Institute/American Butter Institute; and others.

“I worked with Floyd for 10 years at the Council, and he was always of great counsel, and, yes, many laughs together as we faced countless market access battles around the world,” said Tom Sleight, former USGC president and chief executive officer. “What I will always remember best about Floyd is the earnestness and depth of his service to U.S. agriculture. The farm boy in Floyd was always there, in the background, and it gave him the strength and perspective to do what was right, what was needed. He will be missed.”

Gaibler was born and raised on the family farm in Farnam, Nebraska, and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural economics from the University of Nebraska.

Gaibler is survived by his wife, Salome Howard Gaibler; a daughter, Stephanie Gaibler Sutton, and son-in-law, Nicolas Sutton; a son, Christian Gaibler; his father, Lester Gaibler; a sister, Gwen Kotschwar, and brother-in-law, Rick Kotschwar; a niece, Gretchin Heckenlively and her family; and a nephew, Derek Kotschwar, and his family.

Arrangements are pending. Remembrances can be sent to grains@grains.org or the USGC offices in Washington, D.C., to be passed on to Floyd’s family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory are also being accepted via check to:

Christ the King Lutheran Church
10550 Georgetown Pike
Great Falls, VA 22066

Full obituary information is available here.