A wheat farmer each from California, Maryland and Nebraska will be joining me on this year's USW Africa-Europe Board Team, kicking off Friday, Jan. 11 through Jan. 24. Our team will be traveling to Nigeria, Ghana, Italy and Spain.
USW board teams are intense, regional visits designed to educate USW board members and state wheat commissioners about the overseas buyers of their wheat and USW's overseas office work as well as strengthen relationships with overseas customers. In just two short weeks, we will be meeting with flour millers, bakers, grain traders and government officials as well touring flour mills, port facilities and bakeries.
Board teams bring together both ends of the grain chain – the farmers who supply the world's most reliable source of high quality wheat and the buyers and end users who utilize U.S. wheat to help improve their products and expand their businesses.
On one end, the teams help educate USW board members and state wheat commissioners about the day-to-day work of USW's overseas offices to promote their wheat, solve problems which may disrupt the flow of wheat overseas, maintain U.S. market share and expand U.S. wheat exports. On the other, board teams also help thank and educate overseas buyers through direct contact with the farmers who grow the wheat they prefer.
Travelling with me on the board team this year are: Larry Hunn, third generation HRW farmer in northern California; Jason Scott, six generation SRW farmer from Maryland's Eastern Shore and USW board member; and Brent Robertson, family HRW farmer from southwest Nebraska.