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Two Illinois farmers recognized by U.S. Grains Council

Two Illinois farmers have been recognized by the U.S. Grains Council for their 10-years of service to the organization.

Dan Cole and Dirk Rice represented the Illinois Corn Marketing Board on the Council.

Cole, who farms with his family in west central Illinois, tells Brownfield the organization’s trade missions allow farmers to carry their own message…

“One farmer trusts another farmer.” He says, “They’re not so trusting of government. But when the American farmer goes to them and says, listen, this is how it’s been treated, this is what we did with it. You can trust this. They believe that.”

Rice, who farms with his family in east central Illinois, says the Council’s vision into developing foreign markets is vital for American grain farmers…

“They’re quick at identifying the potential market and going out and finding buyers and just developing the whole system to keep moving our grain, you know, to other countries,” he says.

Cole and Rice were among five members honored by U.S. Grains Council at its 64th Annual Membership Meeting in Guatemala City.

Also honored were Chad Willis of the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council, Curt Mether of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and Charles Ray Huddleston of the United Sorghum Checkoff Program.