Member Profile: Chuck Kunisch, Michigan Agricultural Commodities

Born and raised in the thumb of Michigan, Chuck Kunisch has been involved in agriculture since he was very young. Growing up along Saginaw Bay, Kunisch and his family grew grain, sugar beets, dry beans, corn and wheat. ­

After attending Michigan State University to receive his degree in Dairy Science and Crops and Soils, Kunisch worked in the dairy industry before his company bought into a farm elevator. The elevator partnered with Michigan Agricultural Commodities (MAC) for marketing and expanded the operation. Today, Kunisch works with MAC as the specialty grain business development director and the corporate safety director emeritus.

Working for MAC, Kunisch has had the opportunity to travel to Japan and Asia to sell contracts. Kunisch has recently taken a step back from traveling, but with his new role, he will soon be making trips overseas again.

“I’ve met a lot of interesting people,” said Kunisch. “The West does business very differently and it was interesting to learn their ways.”

While trading with Japan, Kunisch learned that soybeans grown in Michigan near Lake Michigan and Huron face similar conditions to soybeans growing in Hokkaido, Japan, because of lake effect and the two areas being on the same line of latitude. Through this discovery, Kunisch was able to make more connections with the Japanese to sell food grade soybeans.

“We mirror the climate in Michigan and Southwest Ontario,” said Kunisch. “It works very well.”

Not only has Kunisch learned a lot from his time with MAC, but he has also learned a lot about the industry from being a member of both the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) and SSGA. Originally, Kunisch was involved with the Midwest Shippers Association, but joined SSGA when it first started.

“MAC has always felt it was important for us to be part of the grain industry and help promote what we do,” Kunisch said. “It’s very important to give back to our industry, so I’m going to continue to do that.”

While attending the Identity Preserved International Summit hosted by SSGA in Honolulu, Hawaii, Kunisch built relationships with others involved in the specialty soya industry. After the summit, he used those connections to help benefit MAC.

“When I went to the conference in Hawaii, I made at least two good contacts,” he said. “MAC has benefited from those relationships, because that is what business really is all about: relationships and networking.”

Two years ago, Kunisch received a spot on the SSGA board and was put on the specialty grains action team. After taking a step back from managing facilities, Kunisch felt it was time to take on more responsibility and get involved.

“This is my second year on the board, and I enjoy it a lot,” Kunisch said. “I’ve been very blessed to have that ability.”

Kunisch is excited to be part of an organization that is proactive.

“There are a lot of exciting things coming in export of food grade grains and beans, and SSGA helps people take advantage of those opportunities,” Kunisch said. “I’ve been very blessed that MAC has supported me in doing this.”