SSGA brings IP message to Commodity Classic

The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance met with farmers from all around the United States and others about the organization and the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and mark during 2022 Commodity Classic in New Orleans earlier this month. SSGA invited trade show attendees to “have a seat at the table” and join us at one of our custom U.S. Identity Preserved-branded picnic tables to talk about IP opportunities in their states and regions.

“With growing demand for identity preserved field crops from the United States, Commodity Classic presented a prime opportunity for SSGA to speak directly to farmers about considering IP as part of their production,” said Eric Wenberg, SSGA executive director. “The conversation never seemed to stop over the 2 ½-day trade show.”

SSGA board director and farmer Andy Bensend talks about growing identity preserved crops in Wisconsin as Eric Wenberg looks on during Commodity Classic.

Identity Preserved growers and SSGA board members Keith Schrader of Minnesota and Andy Bensend of Wisconsin assisted in the booth and talked about their own farming practices, explaining that, although IP crops require extra steps in the process, it does offer growers an opportunity to increase the diversity and value of their products and derive premiums.

SSGA Chairman Rob Prather of Iowa-based Global Processing, also worked in the booth, along with Wenberg, Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick and Membership Manager Jodie Arndt.

SSGA handed out Fork to Farm utensil sets made from wheat straw that promoted USidentitypreserved.org and the traceability and feedback aspect of identity preserved field crops from the United States. The tableware quickly proved to be one of the more popular giveaways at Classic, and one farmer from Oregon declared that the SSGA booth was one of the most interesting at the trade show.

SSGA held a drawing for two custom picnic tables, and the winners were Mary Beth Adam of Harper, Iowa, and Stan Ryan of Blue Mound, Illinois. The foldable tables and benches will be shipped to the winners later this spring.