2006 Midwest Specialty Grains Conference

Return to Home Page Return to News Release Page July 24, 2006
For Immediate Release
FAS Administrator Michael Yost is Featured Speaker at Midwest Specialty Grains Conference
Fargo, N.D., USA – Michael Yost, Administrator of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), will be a featured speaker at the Midwest Specialty Grains Conference, announces Bob Zelenka, executive director of the Midwest Shippers Association. The third annual conference is set for August 22-24 at the Ramada Mall of America, Bloomington, Minn. Midwest Shippers' Association hosts the conference. Mr. Yost's topic, ‘Linking to the World Through FAS,' relates to the overall conference theme of ‘Linking the World of IP to the Midwest.' He will discuss where and where not to do business, how to make contacts, and relevant industry information. “Processors and end-users will benefit greatly from gaining a better understanding of how to use FAS services,” says Zelenka. Additional highlights of the conference are presentations on the U.S.-Asian freight market, food safety, international and domestic market development, IP marketing and a trade show that features over 50 exhibitors. This year's conference organizers expect over 350 participants and exhibitors. Last year, the conference attracted people from 26 states and 11 countries. The American Soybean Association (ASA) will sponsor a trade delegation from Taiwan. A member of the delegation will speak on the emerging IP market in Taiwan. The Trade Show features about 50 exhibitors and an array of IP specialty grain products, services, and market opportunities. “We're excited about the conference trade show; we are almost full to capacity with both repeat and new exhibitors, including processors, equipment suppliers, and inspection and traceability services. That's the trademark of our conference—it brings value to all segments of the identity-preserved marketplace,” says Carrol Duerr, general manager of the Midwest Shippers' Association. The conference will conclude with tours in the Minneapolis area. In addition to a food cooperative, the group will visit a Twin City container yard and the Mill City Museum. Major sponsors for the conference include Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Iowa Soybean Association, Minnesota Grain and Feed Association, North Dakota Soybean Council, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, North Dakota Department of Agriculture, Northern Crops Institute, The Cooperative Foundation, South Dakota Wheat Commission, South Dakota Department of Agriculture, Twin Cities & Western/Minnesota Prairie Line, and Eurofins GeneScan. For more information on the conference, visit www.grainconference.com or call the Midwest Shippers Association Office at 612-252-1453. The Midwest Shippers' Association (MSA), a regional cooperative association consisting of specialty grain growers and processors, promotes and facilitates the marketing of specialty grains from the upper Midwest of the U.S. # # #

July 24, 2006

For Immediate Release

FAS Administrator Michael Yost is Featured Speaker at Midwest Specialty Grains Conference

Fargo, N.D., USA – Michael Yost, Administrator of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), will be a featured speaker at the Midwest Specialty Grains Conference, announces Bob Zelenka, executive director of the Midwest Shippers Association.

The third annual conference is set for August 22-24 at the Ramada Mall of America, Bloomington, Minn. Midwest Shippers' Association hosts the conference.

Mr. Yost's topic, ‘Linking to the World Through FAS,' relates to the overall conference theme of ‘Linking the World of IP to the Midwest.' He will discuss where and where not to do business, how to make contacts, and relevant industry information. “Processors and end-users will benefit greatly from gaining a better understanding of how to use FAS services,” says Zelenka.

Additional highlights of the conference are presentations on the U.S.-Asian freight market, food safety, international and domestic market development, IP marketing and a trade show that features over 50 exhibitors.

This year's conference organizers expect over 350 participants and exhibitors. Last year, the conference attracted people from 26 states and 11 countries. The American Soybean Association (ASA) will sponsor a trade delegation from Taiwan. A member of the delegation will speak on the emerging IP market in Taiwan.

The Trade Show features about 50 exhibitors and an array of IP specialty grain products, services, and market opportunities. “We're excited about the conference trade show; we are almost full to capacity with both repeat and new exhibitors, including processors, equipment suppliers, and inspection and traceability services. That's the trademark of our conference—it brings value to all segments of the identity-preserved marketplace,” says Carrol Duerr, general manager of the Midwest Shippers' Association.

The conference will conclude with tours in the Minneapolis area. In addition to a food cooperative, the group will visit a Twin City container yard and the Mill City Museum.

Major sponsors for the conference include Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Iowa Soybean Association, Minnesota Grain and Feed Association, North Dakota Soybean Council, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, North Dakota Department of Agriculture, Northern Crops Institute, The Cooperative Foundation, South Dakota Wheat Commission, South Dakota Department of Agriculture, Twin Cities & Western/Minnesota Prairie Line, and Eurofins GeneScan.

For more information on the conference, visit www.grainconference.com or call the Midwest Shippers Association Office at 612-252-1453.

The Midwest Shippers' Association (MSA), a regional cooperative association consisting of specialty grain growers and processors, promotes and facilitates the marketing of specialty grains from the upper Midwest of the U.S.

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