Member Profile: Jake Noll, Richland IFC

Jake Noll didn’t grow up on a farm but learned to love agriculture by being involved on his grandparents’ operation during the summers. Working alongside his uncle, Noll’s appreciation for agriculture grew throughout his childhood.

However, fate led Noll to stay in the construction business after building houses for several years. Eventually, he and his brother created their own construction company in the Twin Cities. After staying in the construction business until 2009, Noll felt the need to return to the agriculture industry and purchased a seed processing plant with two uncles and a cousin.

Two years later, Noll got more involved in specialty soybeans and exports through the processing plant. Rick Brandenburger, the president of Richland IFC, was there as a mentor for Noll and helped make the processing plant what it is today. When Richland had an open position for a procurement manager, Noll jumped at the opportunity at the advice from Brandenburger. Now, Noll works for the company as a general manager.

“I have a little bit of involvement everywhere,” Noll said. “I enjoy that part, because I get to see a little bit of everything and help bridge gaps.”

In his position, Noll’s main involvement is in procurement, but he also helps out with marketing, logistics and plant operations, and every once in a while, he helps with accounting.

Before Noll started at Richland, he got involved in the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) as a member during its early stages. Now that he is at Richland, the benefits of membership show up in many ways.

“SSGA is supportive of the majority of our business because of what it does,” he said. “It’s very difficult for one company to educate the masses in other countries, but SSGA has that reach and has the staff to educate. It’s a benefit.”

Noll recognizes that the work that SSGA does has directly benefited him in his current position. One example of this is the High Quality Specialty Grains program, which allows Richland to stay competitive in the marketplace.

However, the programs that come out of SSGA are not the only benefit to becoming a member. Noll has seen major returns just from being in the same room as others who are knowledgeable about the specialty soy industry.

“The benefit of working with those groups on projects is that it brings out different viewpoints,” said Noll. “We can get together and come up with solutions to those problems that we both have.”

A year prior to getting onto the board, Noll joined the SSGA’s food grade soya action team after Executive Director Eric Wenberg encouraged him to become more involved. On the committee, Noll was able to engage in the work that was being done to educate others about Identity Preserved soybeans.

As committee chair, Noll enjoys being able to provide insight and make recommendations to the board. Because of his work on the committee, Noll was encouraged to run for a board position and was elected last year.

“I wanted more involvement, and I want to keep learning more,” Noll said. “It was the next step for me to help shape the organization.”

Noll has seen the benefit of becoming a member of SSGA and encourages others in the specialty soybean field to get involved.

“You gain a lot of insight and access to programs,” he said. “I would think there’s everything to gain by becoming a member.”