USGC Thanks Chip Councell For MAIZALL Leadership

Some leaders have a desire to positively impact the future in whatever way they can, and Chip Councell’s recent role as MAIZALL chairman demonstrates he’s just that type of guy.

“Chip Councell, with his deep leadership experiences – both at the Council and as a director at MAIZALL – was exactly the right person to meet and exceed the needs of the MAIZALL presidency during one of the most challenging periods in our history,” said USGC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand. “The Council appreciates Chip’s ingenuity, resilience and his farmer’s perspective on critical topics like sustainability and innovation that have been at the forefront of MAIZALL’s work throughout this unprecedented time.”

Councell – who is a past U.S. Grains Council (USGC) chairman and 10th generation farmer from Maryland – closed his term as president of MAIZALL, the international maize alliance, at the end of June. While COVID-19 meant he presided over the organization in a difficult year, he said he feels lucky and privileged to have served his fellow farmers in this role.

“As we travel around the world, I think farmers are the same. We start out each year with a hope and a prayer for a successful crop,” Councell says. “And I think the relationships that I have been able to make around the world through MAIZALL – that’s something that will last me a lifetime.”

MAIZALL was established in 2013 by leaders from the Council, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), ABRAMILHO (Brazilian Association of Corn Producers) and MAIZAR (the Argentine corn and sorghum federation). Growers in all three countries, even though they are competitors, work to resolve shared problems with non-tariff barriers in global markets, primarily related to agricultural biotechnology, plant breeding innovation and crop protection.

“If we, as farmers, are going to meet all the challenges of the future as far as food safety and food security are concerned, we are going to need access to technology, and we’re going to have to have markets for the products that we grow,” Councell says.

Under Councell’s leadership, MAIZALL has adapted to COVID-19 limitations by hosting regular virtual meetings with staff and stakeholders, as well as being active in the United Nations Food Systems Summit process. The organization also plans to participate in POLITICO’s The Future of Food and Farming Summit in September 2021.

“Chip has a passion for creating opportunities for U.S. farmers through increased access to our global markets,” said Kimberly Atkins, USGC vice president and chief operating officer. “Through MAIZALL, Chip has worked collaboratively with our partners in Argentina and Brazil to advance the farmer’s voice in the dialogue surrounding the use of technology in agriculture.”

Congratulations, Chip, on your work with MAIZALL!

Learn more about MAIZALL.