SSGA elects board members; Prather chosen as chair

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Rob Prather

Rob Prather

The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance added one new member to its Board of Directors, re-elected two others and tabbed Rob Prather of Global Processing as its new board chair during its 2021 Annual Meeting on Friday.

Prather and past chairman Robert Sinner of SB&B Foods were re-elected to the board, and Bryan Stobaugh of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council was elected to a third open seat.

Following the business meeting, the Board of Directors elected officers, and Prather was voted in as chair, moving up from his position of vice-chair.

“I’m humbled,” said Prather, chief strategic ambassador for Iowa-based Global Processing. “There’s definitely some big shoes to fill. I’m excited to be staying in the leadership. With the COVID-stunted progress that we’ve had, some things just didn’t quite get done. I’m excited that the U.S. Identity Preserved brand did get done – that was awesome – but I think there’s a lot more to do. Consistency and familiarity are what the people we deal with need, and I’m glad to be able to help provide that.”

Adam Buckentine of The Redwood Group was elected vice-chair and Colby Eymann of Scoular was elected secretary/treasurer.

“I’m really looking forward to continuing the work that’s already been happening at SSGA,” Buckentine said. “There’s a ton of great projects that are going on, and I’m going to do my best to use some of the knowledge that I’ve gained over the years in this industry to contribute.”

Earlier this year, Eymann was appointed to the board of directors following the resignation of Raquel Hansen. Eymann will complete the remaining two years of that seat’s term.

“I’m really excited and honored to join the board of directors here at SSGA,” Eymann said. “I think what’s really got me excited is the role of the U.S Identity Preserved brand and, together with Rob, as the chairman, and the rest of the board, pushing that out for U.S. soy and specialty grains.”

Stobaugh, who has served as chair of SSGA’s agronomy action team, was elected to the seat held by retiring board director Rick Brandenburger of Richland IFC. Other members of the SSGA Board of Directors include Darwin Rader of Zeeland Farm Services, Keith Schrader of Wheeling Grain Partnership and Andy Bensend of AB Farms.

“This is a group of such smart, talented people,” SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg said. “They not only represent all of the areas vital to SSGA and its members, but they have a passion for what they do. And that will only serve our membership and help our alliance grow and grow stronger going forward.”

SSGA’s annual meeting took place Friday at the Hyatt Regency in Bloomington, following the U.S. Identity Preserved launch event on Thursday in Minneapolis.

Besides board elections and the annual member business meeting, Friday’s agenda included several speakers and presenters, including: keynote speaker Sara Baer-Sinnott, president of Oldways/Whole Grains Council; ally spotlight speaker Ed Beaman, COO of U.S. Soybean Export Council; Molly Burns, branded program manager for Food Export-Midwest; Minnesota farmer and SSGA board member Keith Schrader; agronomists Dr. Tom Peters of North Dakota State University/University of Minnesota and Dr. Kate Warpeha of University of Illinois Chicago.

SSGA also announced its annual Alliance Honors, recognizing those who have made significant and sustaining contributions to the U.S. IP industry in 2021.

SSGA Board of Directors meets – in person

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For the first time since early 2020 – before COVID-19 restricted travel and gathering – the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) Board of Directors held an in-person meeting. The eight-member board, along with SSGA staff, technical advisers and special guests met at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Bloomington, Minn., on Tuesday, June 22.  

The SSGA Board of Directors met on Tuesday, June 22, in Bloomington, Minn., It was the first time the group held an in-person board meeting since February of 2020. Pictured are: (first row, left to right) Raquel Hansen, Keith Schrader, Andy Bensend, Rick Brandenburger; (second row) Executive Director Eric Wenberg, Adam Buckentine, Vice-Chair Rob Prather, Chair Bob Sinner, Secretary/Treasurer Darwin Rader.

“Meeting in person was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect,” SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg said. “We’re still praying for global safety and recovery, and it will be a wonderful thing when commerce is operating fully again and we’re all working in person.” 

While a few guests took in the meeting virtually, all board business and reports from staff, action teams and technical advisers took place live and in person. 

“Our technical advisers were a highlight,” Wenberg said, noting the group of Hoa Huynh (Southeast Asia), Alyson Segawa (North Asia), Eugene Philhower (Europe) and Phil Shull (India). “They showed the impact that we’re having globally.” 

Reports showed SSGA making progress in projects such as the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance protocol and IP website, SSGA University and inspection certification relief. 

SSGA Strategic Adviser for Trade and Transportation Bruce Abbe with SSGA Board of Directors Adam Buckentine, Bob Sinner and Darwin Rader.

“We also solidified our future by overhauling our bylaws,” Wenberg said. “That was an important stewardship moment, as we operate in trust of our members and want to have clarity and transparency at all levels.”

Prior to the official meeting, the board underwent media training put on by communicators from Ag Management Solutions. 

“We started the day with media training because SSGA, in 2021 and 2022, has a mountain to climb to make sure our concerns regarding container shipping and the Identity Preserved industry are heard in a public forum by leaders, growers, buyers and shippers,” Wenberg said.

SSGA staff visits Illinois members

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Staff from the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) hit the road in early May, traveling to Illinois to visit various members and supporters in the Land of Lincoln.

SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg and Market Development Project Manager Lee Steinhauer visit with staff from Hang Tung Resources during their recent trip to see members in Illinois.

“As business travel makes a comeback, many of us were a little surprised by how much meeting in person meant,” SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg said. “Lee and I were grateful to join our friends and learn about what’s needed to keep the premium grains business moving forward.”

Wenberg was joined by Lee Steinhauer, SSGA market development project manager, in their visits to representatives of Hang Tung Resources, US Nisshin Shokai, Clarkson Grain Company, Global Processing and others.

“It was a really good trip,” Steinhauer said. “We were able to talk to them about where they need help and where they appreciate us. We were happy to get out and see people face-to-face again, and they were happy to see people, too.”

Hang Tung Resources, an investment group that has grown into a multi-segment group covering grain, oilseed and textile commodity trading, as well as agricultural processing and other services, connects SSGA to operations overseas as a U.S.-based multinational.

Nisshin Shokai, a trading company that specializes in the niche demand for specialty soy ingredients, features world class logistics and a solid book for customers. Despite all its obstacles, the company is making trade happen for their customers. “It takes special, caring people to keep trade moving,” Wenberg said during in the visit.

Clarkson is a grain, oilseed and ingredient supplier specializing in IP, non-GMO and organic crops. Company founder Lynn Clarkson is credited in 1974 with beginning the movement of segregated direct farmer supply that grew into the Identity Preserved marketplace.

Global Processing is a supplier of non-GMO food-grade soybeans. SSGA Vice-Chair Rob Prather is the chief strategic ambassador for Global Processing. He puts in volunteer hours each week for SSGA to make the world grain business a better environment for the producer and processor. Customers both domestic and international keep asking for quality, he said.

“If they ask for clean soybeans in a 30 kg bag, they expect every bag to be 30 kg, no more, no less,” he said. “We pack them practically as well as Mars loads M&Ms, and our buyers love it. IP quality means I care.”

Spring has sprung!

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SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg returns to the IP-ODCAST to discuss spring planting intentions and trying to better understand the logistical difficulties growers might be facing in the upcoming growing season. “SSGA is actively interested in what’s happening this year with the crop,” Wenberg tells host Shane Frederick. Non-GMO soybean and corn acreage was up in 2020, and the hope is farmers stick with it in 2021.

SSGA presents to Soy Excellence Center

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Invited by the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) as the experts in Identity Preserved field crops, the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) presented at the Asia Soy Excellence Center’s Soy Food and Beverage Basic Course on March 16.  

During a session titled “Fundamental of Soybeans, Supply & Soy Derivatives for Food Application,” SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg introduced SSGA and its mission to more than 60 students representing importing companies across southeast Asian countries. The presentation provided a full picture of production, harvesting, processing, storage, certification and transportation of U.S. Identity Preserved soya and specialty grains in order to enhance the audience’s understanding of the U.S. IP system and help in their purchasing decisions. 

Wenberg’s presentation included a video, provided by SSGA member Global Processing, that highlighted the complete IP production process and concluded with a Q&A.

The session concluded with many thoughtful questions by students which Eric competently addressed them. 

The Asia Soy Excellence Center for Food Protein initiated in Singapore is USSEC’s first Soy Excellence Center dedicated to the advancement of soy-based foods and beverages for human consumption. It’s objectives include: building awareness of the benefits of soy through education, promoting strategic partnerships and serving as a resource point for the latest soy information. 

SSGA Member Profile: Vijay Harrell, TradeLanes

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Imagine receiving a $1 million purchase order from an international client but turning it down because you didn’t know how to do the export paperwork.

In 2015, Vijay Harrell met a small Tennessee-based dock equipment manufacturing company that did just that. Harrell later met one of the largest grains traders in the world who suffered some of the same challenges with export documentation and export processes – difficulty in managing the trade execution process for selling (and buying) commodities.

At that moment, Harrell, a self-taught software engineer with a trading background, knew that technology could help overcome the problems of commodities trade execution by bringing trade execution entirely online, and the idea for the TradeLanes.co Trade Execution Platform was born.

“There has to be a better way,” said Harrell, TradeLanes’ founder and CEO. “What should this process be like? What needs to happen to fix this?”

TradeLanes is an SSGA member, and Harrell was the sponsor speaker during SSGA’s annual meeting in December. Before a virtual audience of more than 70 members and guests, Harrell gave a presentation about resiliency and the challenges and opportunities that exist along the IP value chain, stressing that “technology is a key to achieving resiliency.”

Global trade remains one of the last frontiers that has not been fully digitized, and exporters, including SSGA members, suffer as a result – with costly operational hassles, siloed data systems, delayed shipments, extra costs, and narrowed margins.

By bringing everything online with technology designed to integrate with existing systems, Harrell set out to turn the complex process of trade execution into a series of mouse clicks. That allows teams to focus on delivering strategic value instead of spending time scrambling to get shipments right.

TradeLanes allows exporters to generate contracts, start shipments, book logistics, manage loading, generate documents, manage workflow and track and view the entire transaction – from a single screen.

Technology can overcome the main issues of trade execution – paper.

SSGA annual meeting attendees likely noticed the two signs hanging on the wall behind Harrell in his home office. On them are printed the words “PAPER DOCS” inside a red circle with a slash through them – “Ghostbusters”-style.

Eliminating paper in favor of one shared data record, creates flawless documents with all of the information for logistics put online. Any changes that need to be made are simple. TradeLanes’ platform streamlines the entire execution process (saving lots of time and money), provides end-to-end visibility, connects all parties to the transaction online and delivers an Amazon-like e-commerce experience to customers.

“It makes no sense that someone would have to re-do an entire set of documents for a split shipment,” Harrell said. “There is no way a company can win the future of trade if it’s not agile. With TradeLanes, we’re automating and digitizing the entire process, so that it takes 30 seconds, not 3 hours. And we do that for every step – from the sales/purchase order through to delivery of goods at destination.”

TradeLanes takes the view that trade execution can be a competitive advantage. That is where the margin for commodities is made, and that is where the biggest opportunity for process improvements lie.

“We’re coming at it with an industry perspective,” said Harrell, who spent more than two years on site in commodities trade rooms of global companies and small local brokers, figuring out ways to improve trade execution with technology. “This product was born on a trade room floor.”

TradeLanes is working with top innovators in grains, dairy and meats to help them gain competitive advantage, make more money and refocus on delivering strategic value to their customers.

“People said it couldn’t be done – but we’ve done it,” Harrell said. “And next up, we’re applying machine learning so that our customers really have a leg up.”

Harrell is a member of the International Grain Trade Coalition’s working group on electronic trading documentation, which actively supports the International Plant Protection Convention’s ePhyto Industry Advisory Group and is committed to working alongside the industry to digitize and leverage technology to modernize standards.

TradeLanes recently partnered with SSGA on a survey to better understand the scope, extent and cost of detention and demurrage.

SSGA Member Profile: Raquel Hansen, Pipeline Foods

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By Shane Frederick, SSGA Communications Manager

Specialty crops are nothing new to Raquel Hansen.

Raquel Hansen, Pipeline Foods

“My roots go far back,” she said. “It’s been part of my entire life.”

The newest member of the Specialty Soya and Grain Alliance (SSGA) Board of Directors grew up on a cash-crop farm that was started by her grandparents. Her family’s crops included waxy corn that was exported to Japan and, later, identity-preserved (IP) soybeans.

“IP in the early days before GMO was introduced was more variety-specific,” Hansen said. “That’s what my parents and grandparents did.”

Hansen continues to farm near Owatonna, Minn., raising specialty grains, including non-GMO corn and soybeans, as well as hogs and cattle, along with her husband, Todd. Their son, Eric (one of their two adult children), also farms.

“Four generations have supplied specialty grains to the Hope location,” Hansen said, referring to the Hope, Minn., processing facility started by a group of farmers that included her grandparents and parents and now owned by SSGA-member Pipeline Foods.

Pipeline Foods is a 3-year-old supply chain solutions company focused exclusively on organic and non-GMO food and feed. Hansen is Pipeline Foods’ vice president for soybeans and food ingredients, part of the “value-added sales team.” She became part of Pipeline in 2019 when that company acquired SunOpta’s specialty and organic soy and corn business, including the Hope facility. Hansen had been at SunOpta for more than 15 years, including eight as an executive.

Pipeline Foods, which is based in Minneapolis and has regional headquarters in Canada and Argentina, has a network of growers around the world whose crops include small grains, pulses, peas and lentils, as well as soybeans and corn. Hansen said the company is starting to get into specialty oils and milled products such as teff, quinoa and chickpea, with a focus on trendy specialty products.

“There’s a lot of excitement – a lot of passion for the business and for success,” Hansen said. “There are challenges that come with a smaller company that’s fast-growing, too.”

Hansen’s own enthusiasm for agriculture has never waned, ever since she was a kid growing up on the family farm near New Richland, Minn. She attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, earning degrees in agriculture and business. She later earned an MBA at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.

With COVID-19 preventing Pipeline Food’s overseas and other customers from visiting farms and facilities, Hansen recorded videos throughout the season – from planting through harvest – giving progress reports on her farm’s soybean crop conditions. The videos included weather reports; photos of soybean plants at various stages; plant, pod and bean measurements; and general descriptions of what was happening in the growing process.

“Ag really is a passion of mine,” Hansen said. “It’s something I’m extremely interested in. … Soya and specialty grains are very strong in the world, and that’s where my world is at right now.”

SunOpta was a member of Midwest Shippers, one of the two associations that merged to form SSGA, and that membership has carried over to Pipeline.

“SSGA, to me, has always been a valuable organization and alliance,” she said, “from the roots that it came from to the Midwest exporters such as ourselves in the specialty grains business. There are a lot of pressures put on the little guys, and the support and collaboration that can happen among members can be key to being successful as an organization and successful in the export of U.S.-grown products.”

Hansen was elected to an open seat on SSGA’s Board of Directors during the SSGA’s virtual annual meeting on Dec. 3.

“I found it to be a good opportunity to not only promote Pipeline as a company but also network and understand the challenges we face a little deeper than I have in the past. … It’s inspiring to me that a smaller group of people can make this big of a difference.”

SSGA elects SB&B’s Bob Sinner as chair

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Bob Sinner, SSGA Chairman

The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance added one new member to its Board of Directors, re-elected another and tabbed Bob Sinner of North Dakota-based SB&B Foods as its new board chair during its 2020 Annual Meeting on Thursday.

Raquel Hansen of Pipeline Foods was elected to one of two open seats on the board, and Keith Schrader of Wheeling Grain Partnership was re-elected to the other open seat.

Following the business meeting, the Board of Directors elected officers, and Sinner was voted in as chair, with Rob Prather of Global Processing elected vice-chair and Darwin Rader of Zeeland Farm Services elected secretary/treasurer.

“I’m humbled to be elected SSGA chair,” said Sinner, who previously served as the organization’s vice-chair. “The chair is only as good as its board, so I will lean on everybody on this team – and it’s really a talented group. I’m excited about where SSGA is going.”

Sinner replaces retiring chair/director Curt Petrich of HC International.

Other members of the board include Rick Brandenburger of Richland IFC, Andy Bensend of AB Farms and Adam Buckentine of The Redwood Group.

“This is a group of such smart, talented people,” SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg said. “They not only represent all of the areas vital to SSGA and its members, but they have a passion for what they do. And that will only serve our membership and help our alliance grow and grow stronger going forward.”

Hansen, the board’s newest director, said she is eager to get started in her new role.

“I’m looking forward to serving,” Hansen said. “There are a lot of challenges in the industry, and I’m hoping I can help.”

SSGA’s annual meeting was a two-day event held virtually due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions. More than 70 people logged in each day.

Besides board elections and business meeting, highlights from the event included several speakers and presenters, among them: United Soybean Board CEO Polly Ruhland, U.S. Soybean Export Council COO Ed Beaman, Tradelanes CEO Vijay Harrell and organic farmer Carolyn Olson.

USB’s Polly Ruhland delivers keynote at SSGA Annual Meeting

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The demand for protein continues to rise around the world, and there is space for everyone involved in its production, United Soybean Board CEO Polly Ruhland said during the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance’s 2020 Annual Meeting.

“We’re going to need protein of all kind, and it’s time to start thinking about that,” she said.

Ruhland delivered the keynote address during on Thursday, the second day of the two-day meeting, which was held virtually on Zoom due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions.

Speaking to members and allies of SSGA, which included growers, processors and shippers of U.S. identity-preserved soya and specialty grains, Ruhland said soy in human food around the globe “matters so much today.”

Restoring soy’s reputation – the “halo” that it enjoyed years ago – is key.

“It’s critical that we listen more closely to customers and consumers than ever before,” said Ruhland, who has been USB’s CEO since 2017.

Ruhland said she hopes to have SSGA as a partner on USB’s protein-first initiatives.

Soy, she said, can play a role in solving the world hunger problem, which, in turn, would play an important role in global sustainability.

More than 70 people logged on to the Zoom meeting for second day of the SSGA meeting, about the same number that participated on Day 1.

Thursday’s events also included SSGA’s annual business meeting and saw the election of Raquel Hansen and the re-election of Keith Schrader to its board of directors. Bob Sinner was later elected board chair after previously serving as vice-chair. Rob Prather was elected vice-chair, and Darwin Rader was elected secretary/treasurer.

The makeup of SSGA’s board of directors now includes:

Andy Bensend, AB Farms

Rick Brandenburger, Richland IFC

Adam Buckentine, The Redwood Group

Raquel Hansen, Pipeline Foods

Rob Prather, Global Processing (vice-chair)

Darwin Rader, Zeeland Farm Services, Inc. (secretary/treasurer)

Keith Schrader, Wheeling Grain Partnership

Bob Sinner, SB&B Foods (chair)

Petrich, the outgoing SSGA board chair, received special recognition as retiring board member as well as one of the first SSGA Alliance Honors. Petrich received the award for “Advancing SSGA.”

“You can understand why Curt has such a high level of integrity,” Sinner said. “On behalf of all of us, thank you for your committed and dedicated service.”

Said Petrich: “I appreciate the support I’ve been given from Bob, as well as the whole team. You’ve got a group of people here who are passionate about the organization, passionate about their business and passionate about our success.”

Other honors went to SSGA adviser Bruce Abbe (“Advancing Transportation”), SB&B’s Todd Sinner (“Advancing IP”) and the North Dakota Soybean Council (“Stewardship”).

Petrich also reviewed SSGA’s wins and challenges from 2020, and Executive Director Eric Wenberg presented an outlook for 2021 that included a rundown of projects and a robust calendar of events planned for the coming year.

The annual meeting concluded with an interview with organic farmer Carolyn Olson of Fairview Farm. Olson raises soybeans, corn, small grains and alfalfa near Cottonwood, Minn.

“When you raise something specific for someone and that thing is in demand, that’s a vey cool thing,” Olson said. “You want to raise something that’s desired. It is more work, but in the end, it’s worth it.”

SSGA’s annual meeting isn’t over quite yet. The meeting of the Competitive Shipping Action Team will take place 8-10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8. And to see on-demand video reports from SSGA’s technical advisers for Europe, Southeast Asia and North Asia, please follow this link.