SSGA encourages businesses to tell their story through sponsorship at Identity Preserved International Summit

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Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) is excited to once again host the Identity Preserved International Summit Feb. 18-20, 2025, in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Summit serves as an ample opportunity to bring together exporters, buyers, sellers and more.

Coming on the heels of a year that saw outstanding participation, with nearly 200 attendees, the Summit has a global reputation that resonated with eight states and 50 foreign buyers in 2023. Many company leaders who attended last year saw continued benefits spill into 2024, with a boost in business.

“The Summit is a business-to-business meeting. It isn’t an ‘ideas’ meeting, it’s a ‘grow your business’ meeting,” said Eric Wenberg, SSGA executive director.

The Summit will cover transportation, seed and certifications, equipment, Asia business and trade updates, testing and protocols and market forecasts. Its location in Honolulu, Hawaii, was carefully chosen, since it’s often seen as the gateway to Asia and is a six-hour flight from Tokyo, and seven hours from Seoul.

“Our buyers come and stay at the show because the content is focused on what they want,” Wenberg said. “That makes the company exporters happy, and thus helps your business as you watch the trends.”

Sponsorship opportunities range from $500 to the Summit Sponsor at $25,000, which offers numerous opportunities to market your business and share your business story on the SSGA website and newsletter. Sponsorship packages also include the chance to get a discounted registration rate on additional attendees to the Summit.

“When it comes to support, we need businesses like yours to make this event such a success,” Wenberg said. “When you commit now that secures your business in getting the maximum exposure.”

Detailed sponsorship information and registration details can be found here.

Identity Preserved International Workshop headed to Nepal

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SSGA is organizing an Identity Preserved International Workshop for Sept. 19 at the Kathmandu Marriott Hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal. The workshop will include Nepali and Indian soy food processors, traders, and chefs, along with SSGA, U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and U.S. government participants, including Tom Frisch, Minnesota farmer and chair of the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSRPC). The purpose of the workshop is to explain the value and benefits of U.S. identity preserved grains and oilseeds, and to feature a wide variety of local foods made from U.S. identity preserved soy, featuring nuts, flours, tofu and a wide range of desserts.

SSGA’s extensive work with Nepali importers played a key role in the first-ever commercial delivery of U.S. identity preserved soy to Nepal in March 2024. The response from processors and retailers was so positive that the importer purchased a second container, which is due to arrive in late August 2024. In addition to growing demand in Nepal, SSGA believes Nepal can serve as a valuable, immediate way for U.S. identity preserved products to reach Indian consumers. SSGA continues to work with USSEC and Indian soy food processors to overcome longstanding tariff and technical barriers preventing direct sales to that 1.4-billion-person market.

SSGA also held a U.S. IP workshop in Tokyo during the FoodEx Japan trade show in March and on their recent mission to Manila, Philippines, satisfying workshops in each of its primary target regions – North Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia before holding the second Identity Preserved International Summit Feb. 18-20, 2025, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The workshop series is sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, North Dakota Soybean Council and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council as part of their support of the Identity Preserved International Summit.

More details on the event will be updated here.

Back by popular demand: Identity Preserved International Summit returning in 2025

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Global leaders in identity preserved (IP) agriculture will convene once again for the Identity Preserved International Summit, Feb. 18-20, 2025, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Registration and sponsorship information is now available at usipsummit.com. 

Building on the success of the inaugural Summit in 2023, this event will unite oilseed and grains buyers and food manufacturers, growers, processors and exporters for three days of discussion, networking and collaboration. The 2023 event, hosted by the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA), included more than 50 foreign buyers as well as growers, processors and exporters of U.S. Identity Preserved field crops. 

“It’s definitely worth attending,” said Gaurav Agrawal, a 2023 event attendee from Nepal. “The event is an eye-opener for various identity preserved products from the U.S. and an excellent platform for U.S. IP products, buyers and sellers.” 

Agrawal credits the education and connections he made at the 2023 Summit as a major reason for his decision to introduce U.S. identity preserved soy in his food manufacturing business in Nepal. Earlier in 2024, the first commercial sale of identity preserved soybeans from the U.S. to South Asia arrived via container at the dry port of Birgunj, Nepal. Agrawal processed the soybeans into soy food products and delivered samples to several other retailers within days of its arrival. 

“The demand for traceable, premium agricultural products continues to expand,” says Bob Sinner, chair of SSGA. “The Identity Preserved International Summit provides a vital platform to connect stakeholders across the entire supply chain to discuss key issues important to our customers’ businesses.” 

The Summit will include presentations and panel sessions from industry leaders exploring topics in identity preserved agriculture, such as electronic documentation, quality assurance, supply, crop conditions and more. The agenda is being regularly updated here. The event will also include a trade show, networking opportunities and tours. 

Hawaii’s central location for guests from the U.S., Japan, Korea, Taiwan and countries throughout Southeast Asia provides an ideal location for the event. The state’s top agricultural commodities are seed crops, including corn and soybean seeds, giving guests a unique tour opportunity to see the development of new varieties firsthand. 

Those interested in attending the Identity Preserved International Summit in 2025 can register now at usipsummit.com. International attendees may be eligible for complimentary registration. 

Businesses interested in sponsoring and/or exhibiting at this one-of-a-kind conference can view options at this link

SSGA set for Manila mission

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The Philippines were one of the first countries SSGA explored to learn about Southeast Asian markets for identity preserved (IP) field crops and the first to participate in the IP B2B virtual business events during the pandemic. Now, the alliance will visit Manila, that country’s capital, Aug. 6-10 for a series of meetings and U.S. Identity Preserved Workshops with food manufacturers to promote high-quality, traceable grains and oilseeds from the United States and the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brand label program.

The delegation includes SSGA board directors Chuck Kunisch (Michigan Agricultural Commodities) and Bryan Severs (Illinois Soybean Association), IP consultant Rob Prather and SSGA Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick, along with representatives of the organization’s global management team.

“We look forward to the opportunity to sit down with food businesses and not only talk about the U.S. Identity Preserved system, companies and crops, but listen to those companies and better understand how we can assist them in communicating the U.S. IP quality and value message to their own customers,” Frederick said.

SSGA plans meetings with a variety of importing companies, U.S. cooperator organizations working in the Philippines and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, and officials with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service posted in Manila.

SSGA also held a U.S. IP workshop in Tokyo during the FoodEx Japan trade show in March and is planning another for Kathmandu, Nepal, in September, hitting each of its primary target regions – North Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia before holding the second Identity Preserved International Summit Feb. 18-20, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

SSGA’s 2024 IP Workshops have been sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, North Dakota Soybean Council and Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board as part of their support of the Identity Preserved International Summit.

The U.S. Identity Preserved program receives support from the Illinois Soybean Association, Michigan Soybean Committee, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, South Dakota Soybean Checkoff and Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, along with funding from a USDA Agricultural Trade Promotion grant and added support from the U.S. Soybean Export Council.

SSGA earns praise at Attaché Seminar

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SSGA had a chance to showcase itself as the U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance and differentiate identity preserved (IP) field crops to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) attachés during the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council’s annual Attaché Seminar on July 10-11 in McLean, Virginia.

SSGA sponsored and put on an immersion training session for attachés at the beginning of the conference. During the invitation-only session, SSGA staff and contractors discussed the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brand mark; talked about retail package labeling; and demonstrated how IP field crops are differentiated through segregation, technical handling and traceability, giving customers choice for the ingredients in their high-quality food products.

Speaking on behalf of SSGA were Executive Director Eric Wenberg, Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick, IP technical experts Raquel Hansen and Rob Prather and ICC global management contractors Susan Weller and Amy Burdett.

The training included hands-on experiences for attendees. Hansen asked the group to soak identity preserved and commodity soybeans in hot water at their tables to demonstrate the impressive consistency of IP beans that buyers appreciate. Prather did a grading sample, putting corn through a sieve to show the difference between a No. 1-graded field crop and a cleaner, “above-grade” IP product ready for specific food uses.

“This was a unique opportunity to introduce or, in some cases, re-introduce SSGA to FAS officers who are posted around the world,” Frederick said. “The more they know about this organization, its members companies and identity preserved crops, the more tools they have to assist companies in their assigned countries and connect them with U.S. exporters who can supply them with high-quality ingredients for their own high-quality food products.”

Additionally, there is a quality and traceability with the U.S. Identity Preserved brand that should resonate not just to the food manufacturer but to the consumers who purchase the finished product.

“Customers want to know where their food comes from and how it’s produced,” Frederick said.

SSGA received high marks for the presentation, according to initial post-session surveys.

Said one attendee: “The useful presentations (gave a) more clear explanation of what SSGA wants to accomplish.”

Said another: “Very informative about a growing segment of U.S. agriculture.”

The U.S. Identity Preserved program was created with USDA Agricultural Trade Promotion grant funding.

During a breakout session of Attaché Seminar, SSGA Manager of Transportation and Regulatory Affairs Gary Williams presented and moderated a panel entitled “A Global Look at Transportation Issues.” The panel featured Williams, Federal Maritime Commission Commissioner Max Vekich and Port of Virginia Director of Strategic Accounts Tyler Bemis.

Current challenges and opportunities and an outlook of global ag shipping were discussed, along with updates on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act that was signed into law in 2022. Williams and SSGA Chair Bob Sinner also visited other officials in Washington, D.C., to update them on programs and priorities of SSGA regarding agriculture shipping.

SSGA also joined USSEC and ASA-WISHH to sponsor the coffee and tea available throughout the seminar.

NCI IP course provides hands-on learning

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Food manufacturers and others from seven Asian countries seeking to elevate their products with high-quality, identity preserved (IP) soybeans, completed a Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA)-sponsored course last week at Northern Crops Institute (NCI) in Fargo, N.D.

The annual IP/Food Grade Soybean Procurement Course focuses on sourcing and purchasing high-quality, IP soybeans for food products, equipping buyers with the knowledge and skills to navigate this specialized market. It also gave participants opportunities to tour two IP supplier facilities in the immediate area and hear from other companies operating in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Participants hailed from Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar and also included SSGA’s three international representatives, who traveled from Japan, Korea and Thailand to take the course.

“The course was a unique opportunity to learn the process of IP from the exporters and the producers and to meet SSGA members,” said Kraipob Pangsapa, SSGA’s Southeast Asia international representative. “This is information we can take to international customers in our regions and spread the message of U.S. Identity Preserved.”

Presenters instructed participants about cash and futures markets, soybean breeding, transportation, contracts, pricing and economic advantages of using identity preserved oilseeds for food manufacturing. Food scientists gave demonstrations on soy milk and tofu processing and some presentations included hands-on learning, such as SSGA IP expert consultant Raquel Hansen’s demo about grading soybeans. Tours included facilities and farm fields at Brushvale Seed and SB&B Foods, both SSGA members. Other SSGA member companies included in the program included Grain Millers, Genesis Seed Solutions, HC International and Richland IFC.

“The NCI course is very near and dear to the hearts of SSGA members,” said Shane Frederick, SSGA manager of strategic programs, “as it gives them a chance to get in depth with attendees and showcase the many advantages of identity preserved soybeans. Also, they get to emphasize the IP procurement process, which encourages working closely with suppliers and contracting ahead.”

Frederick highlighted the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brand/label program and also spoke on the economic benefits that come with paying more up front for a premium product.

In addition, having SSGA’s in-country representatives take the course and speak directly with suppliers and buyers was a great way to enhance the U.S. Identity Preserved program, Frederick said.

“Our Southeast Asia and North Asia representatives came away from this with creative ideas about how they can further communicate the U.S. Identity Preserved message to customers and consumers abroad, as well as help suppliers and customers throughout the IP process,” he said.

The course was sponsored by the North Dakota Soybean Council and SSGA. Participants came to the course with the assistance of U.S. Soybean Export Council, the American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) and SSGA.

IP workshops to be held in Manila and Kathmandu

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Identity Preserved International Summit Workshops are being planned for Aug. 8, in Manila, Philippines and Sept. 19 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The workshops will introduce SSGA, its members and the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brand mark with presentations on IP advantages (quality, traceability, economics), contracting, farming practices, crop updates and labeling. These events will be an excellent primer for the Identity Preserved International Summit that is scheduled for Feb. 18-20, 2025, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Aug. 8 workshop for Philippine food manufacturers will reconnect the alliance with the market, following up on the virtual IP B2B in 2021 and SSGA’s participation in the USDA Trade Mission to the Philippines in 2022.

The Sept. 19 event will build on Nepal’s first import of U.S. identity preserved soybeans that took place in March. The response to the soy foods made from this transaction has been so positive that a second container has been purchased. The Kathmandu seminar is expected to attract 50-60 importers, processors and retailers from Nepal and India. Participants will have the chance to sample a range of products, such as soy milk, tofu, yogurt, soft serve, nuts and flour.

Any SSGA members interested in participating in either meeting should reach out to Shane Frederick, SSGA manager of strategic programs. In addition to the workshops for invited guests, SSGA’s U.S. delegation will schedule additional meetings and tours. More details coming soon.

SSGA’s Identity Preserved International Summit Workshops have been sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, North Dakota Soybean Council and Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board.

Save the date for SSGA’s 2025 events

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SSGA has announced dates for three events in 2025. The Identity Preserved International Summit will return Feb. 18-20 in Honolulu, Hawaii. SSGA’s annual meeting will be held March 11, followed by Transportation Go! March 12-13 in Minneapolis.

In January 2023, more than 150 people, including 50 foreign buyers, participated in the inaugural Summit, traveling from the U.S., South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar and Cambodia for discussions and networking, along with presentations on supply, transportation, crop conditions and availability and more.

SSGA invites food manufacturers; grain and oilseed buyers and sellers; and transportation, equipment, seed and input companies from around the world to experience the U.S. Identity Preserved field crop industry through educational seminars, networking opportunities, agricultural tours and more.

“These are the best companies in the world who do this – on both sides of the ocean,” SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg said. “The Identity Preserved International Summit will again give them a chance to have real dialogue about one of the fast-growing sectors of agriculture.”

More information, as well as registration, will be released soon about the Summit.

SSGA will again hold its annual meeting and Transportation Go! back-to-back, March 11-13, 2025, in Minneapolis.

SSGA’s 2024 annual meeting included a 5-year anniversary celebration, as well as Board of Director elections and breakout sessions about agronomy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s High Quality Specialty Grains program that SSGA administratively supports. Transportation Go! 2024 united about 120 growers, port authority representatives, shippers, suppliers and others for solution-seeking discussions around transportation of agricultural products.

SSGA celebrates 5 years, holds board elections

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Since its inception 5 years ago, the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) has led the way.

In 2019, the Midwest Shippers Association and Northern Food Grade Soybean Association (NFGSA) merged to form SSGA. Originally coined as the premier business alliance of U.S. companies focused on production, processing and shipping of specialty soya and grains worldwide, SSGA celebrated its accomplishments at its five-year anniversary celebration and annual meeting on March 12.

The meeting kicked off with agronomy presentations from Dr. Bryan Young, Purdue University; Dr. Andrew Scaboo, University of Missouri and Dr. Emily Bick from University of Wisconsin-Madison, who discussed innovations in pest management. Ohio farmer Chad Warner discussed his farm and the challenges and benefits of growing identity preserved in the producer interview.

Bob Sinner, SSGA chair, was joined by past chairs Curt Petrich and Rob Prather for a panel discussing the history of SSGA.

Led by Executive Director Eric Wenberg, the panel recounted the early days of the organization, when staff and board members tested out elevator pitches for what SSGA meant. Or when the newly hired Wenberg pointed out all of the reasons a program to assist with phytosanitary inspections would not work.

2024 SSGA Officers: Bryan Severs, secretary/treasurer; Bob Sinner, chair; Bryan Stobaugh, vice chair

That “impossible” phytosanitary program, now named the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) High Quality Specialty Grains (HQSG) program, launched in April 2023, generating nearly 1,700 phytosanitary certificates for U.S. companies exporting high-quality soybeans in containers. Eighteen companies are accepted to use the program, with several more in the certification process. SSGA administratively supports the HQSG program.

“This is the one organization that I have seen a direct ROI on an activity from,” Petrich said. “It’s created a much more efficient [processing] plant and has decreased costs by almost 70%.”

The trio of chairs also recounted other accomplishments of SSGA, such as the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance protocol and brandmark, SSGA University and SSGA advocacy around container shipping issues.

“SSGA has led the way,” Petrich added. “Without this organization a number of things couldn’t get done in this sector.”

SSGA also awarded its annual Alliance Honors. The Alliance Honors recognizes those who have made significant and sustaining contributions to the U.S. IP industry in 2023. These awards recognize stewardship, as well as advancements in transportation, IP and SSGA as an organization.

The Alliance Honor for Stewardship was awarded to the Illinois Soybean Association for their financial, physical and human resources to SSGA programs and meetings. The Indiana Crop Improvement Association was awarded the Alliance Honor for Advancing IP for its work to implement the U.S. Identity Preserved protocol, qualifying companies in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and others. Dr. Karl Kolb, president and chief technical officer of the High Sierra Group/Ceres University was awarded the Advancing SSGA honor for his volunteer work with SSGA to help a small U.S. tofu manufacturer overcome a difficult audit and inspection of its processing facility. The Alliance Honor for Advancing Transportation was awarded to Pamela Ryan of Stonebridge, Ltd., for leading the Competitive Shipping action team during a renewed shipping crisis.

Elections were held to fill two open seats on the SSGA board. Gail Donkers of the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council was reelected to the board and Bryan Severs of the Illinois Soybean Association joined the board.

Severs was later elected by his peers to serve as the SSGA secretary/treasurer. Bryan Stobaugh of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council was tabbed as vice chair and Bob Sinner of SB&B Foods was re-elected to serve as the chair.

“Being able to work with the quality of people we have in the membership and on the board has been an honor,” said Sinner. “I am honored and humbled to serve as the SSGA chair for another year and look forward to what we can accomplish in 2024.”

SSGA promoting quality with U.S. Identity Preserved in Japan

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Alliance to present workshop for food manufactures, buyers during FOODEX trade show

The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) is taking its Identity Preserved International Summit Workshop to Tokyo, Japan, on March 7 during FOODEX Japan 2024. FOODEX Japan is the largest annual food and beverage trade show in Asia, making it an ideal venue to host the Identity Preserved workshop.

“SSGA launched the U.S. Identity Preserved program a little over two years ago, and 15 certified companies now use the ‘Identity Preserved United States’ brand mark to signify the great quality and traceability of U.S. specialty soybeans and grains to international food companies and buyers,” said Shane Frederick, SSGA’s manager of strategic programs. “We are going to Tokyo to tell the U.S. Identity Preserved story and emphasize that when it comes to these premium U.S. field crops, quality doesn’t cost, it pays!”

Taking place at Tokyo Big Sight in Room 3, Hall 4, Second Foor, the Identity Preserved International Summit Workshop will feature educational presentations describing U.S. Identity Preserved protocol and labeling and includes translation and ample networking opportunities. With traceability at the heart of it all, the identity preserved process segregates crops and products throughout production, processing and distribution so customers receive the exact qualities and characteristics that they order.

“We’re building and growing a strong relationship between farmers and suppliers of U.S. specialty field crops and customers and consumers overseas,” said Bryan Stobaugh, SSGA board director and director of licensing and commercialization for Missouri Soybeans. “As the identity preserved association of the United States, SSGA has a ‘fork to farm’ focus that covers the entire IP value chain.”

Workshop presentations include:

  • Information about suppliers of identity preserved, variety-specific field crops, including U.S. companies and products certified with the Identity Preserved United States mark.
  • An explanation of the U.S. Identity Preserved system and assurance plan and how it assures quality and traceability.
  • Opportunities to include the Identity Preserved United States label on retail product packaging and how to communicate the mark’s message to customers.
  • Crop updates and outlooks from U.S. farmers.

Along with the Summit, SSGA will be exhibiting in booth E4-C12-34 at FOODEX March 5-8.