Wheat farmers from Maryland, Minnesota and North Dakota toured flour mills and bakeries in Vietnam, getting a close look at how U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) works with customers to promote U.S. wheat. The group also traveled to Guangzhou, China, where it met with grain traders and attended the 40th anniversary of the Sino American Baking School (SABO).
Many Important Stops for Farmers
A lot of ground was covered on the week-long mission – literally and figuratively.
“Vietnam and China are two very distinct markets. The team saw the different ways different classes of U.S. wheat are being used by our customers. The farmers were also able to witness the strong relationships USW has built with key industry leaders in both places,” said USW West Coast Office Assistant Director Luke Muller. Muller led the USW 2024 Vietnam and China Board Team.
Working close with the millers and bakers allows USW to strengthen those relationships even more, Muller explained.
“There is a lot of interaction,” Muller said. “The farmers were able to pick up on that.”
Maryland, Minnesota and North Dakota
Making up the team were farmers representing various classes of U.S. wheat. USW Secretary-Treasurer Jim Pellman of McClusky, North Dakota; Jennifer Schmidt of Sudlersville, Maryland; and Mark Jossund of Moorhead, Minnesota, began the journey by meeting at the USW office in Portland. They then attended a Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) briefing on grain grading. Before departing for Vietnam, the team toured the United Grain export elevator in Vancouver, Washington.
More details of specific activities the team participated in while in Vietnam and China – including special attention to the SABO anniversary event – will follow in upcoming editions of the Wheat Letter. A video of the trip will also be shared.
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Photo Credit: gettyimages-milos-cirkovic
Categories: North Dakota, Business, Crops, Wheat, Education