Established in 1965, the National Grain and Feed Foundation (NGFF) supports public education and research projects that benefit the grain, feed and processing industry, enhances the industry’s visibility and reputation to the public, and positions it for future growth. The Foundation is funded entirely by voluntary corporate and individual donations. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, contributions to the Foundation are tax deductible.
Support specific research projects that enhance the economic growth and knowledge base of the industry.
Promote applied research that enhances the productivity and safety of industry members.
Foster the highest standards in education pertinent to the grain, feed, processing and export industry.
Enhance public awareness about issues important to agribusiness.
Promote a positive image of the grain, feed, processing and export industry through expanded public awareness of the grain-based food system.
Brian Schouvieller was elected chairman of the NGFF Board of Trustees in 2022.
Message from the Foundation Trustees Chairman
Dear NGFA Member:
The Foundation continues to set ambitious goals to help benefit the people dedicated to “transforming America’s harvest” into the world’s food, fuel and fiber. With your help, the Foundation is dedicated to improving agricultural literacy, promoting ag to the next generation, and boosting awareness about agriculture’s influence on the economy, supply chain and everyday life.
This brief report lists some of the ways that the Foundation invests in ag education by attracting the next generation to this industry and raising public awareness about issues important to our agribusinesses. In addition to continually improving safety awareness in grain handling, the Foundation has focused on several initiatives to ensure the viability of our ag industry for generations to come. One initiative is engaging young people to make their careers in agribusiness. In this spirit, the Foundation has for the second year sponsored academic scholarships for students who are studying agriculture or a closely related field. We do this through the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences student society. I was pleased to meet our student scholarship recipients, both in 2022 and 2023, at the NGFA’s March annual convention. They are impressive students with wide-ranging interests and notable academic achievements, helping to provide a bright outlook for the future of this industry.
In 2022 and early 2023, the Foundation has f ocused on expanding opportunities and laying the groundwork for additional projects. We are exploring new ways to promote agriculture to the next generation, increase awareness of the safety efforts in our industry, and provide access to advanced ag education.
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the Foundation is built on the knowledge and contributions of NGFA member companies and individuals. We welcome, encourage and need your ideas and feedback on opportunities that the Foundation can pursue as we work to broaden our reach.
Thank you for your commitment to advancing our industry!
Brian Schouvieller Senior Vice President CHS Inc.
St.
Paul, Minn.
Trustees
Mark Avery Grain Journal
Augusto Bassanini United Grain Corporation
Kayla Burkhart Dakota Midland Grain LLC
Rick Calhoun Cargill, Inc. (Retired)
Sharon Clark Perdue AgriBusiness LLC
Jason Klootwyk Agtegra Cooperative
Brian Schouvieller CHS Inc.
Lacey Seibert Bushel
Mike Seyfert NGFA
*Does not reflect changes finalized in March 2023.
Decatur, IL
Vancouver, WA
Voltaire, ND
Paducah, KY
Salisbury, MD
Aberdeen, SD
St. Paul, MN
St. Paul, MN
Arlington, VA
National Grain and Feed Foundation 2022-23 Annual Report
Supporting the
Foundation
Annual Golf Tournament
The Foundation Golf Tournament occurs during the NGFA’s annual convention. Each year, golfers and corporate sponsors enjoy the networking and camaraderie of the Foundation tournament, with the proceeds of the event funding the NGFF’s research and education priorities. At the 2022 event in Charleston, N.C., the tournament netted more than $28,000 to benefit the industry. At the 2023 event in La Quinta, Calif., the tournament raised more than $37,000. (2023 final income still being tallied at time of publishing).
General Contributions and Bequests
During a typical year, thousands of dollars are received from NGFA-member firms as an add-on to their dues worksheets, in honor of industry colleagues who have passed on, and in general support of Foundation projects. View the list of donors at ngfa.org/foundation. Scan the QR code below to donate.
National Grain and Feed Foundation 2022-23 Annual Report
Financials Feb.1,2022 – Jan. 31,2023 6% 39% 26% 29%
Spending MANRRS Waterways Safety Public Education Research 54% 46% Revenue Sources Golf General Contributions
Project
Featured Projects
Student Scholarships
The Foundation continued its partnership with the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) national society, announcing its second set of scholarship recipients in January 2023.
The Foundation annually provides three $5,000 competitive scholarships, each of which is renewable for one additional year, as well as the opportunity to meet with hundreds of agribusiness leaders at the National Grain and Feed Association’s annual convention. Each scholarship recipient is a MANRRS student member engaged in undergraduate or graduate studies in agriculture or a closely related field at an accredited college or university.
Podcast
Ebony Webber, the chief operating officer of MANRRS, discussed the origin of the student society and its relationship with the grain and feed industry in a podcast recorded with NGFA. Listen on ngfa.org/podcast.
Fire and Explosion Research
Building on the Foundation’s legacy in fire and explosion research, every year the Foundation helps fund reports on grain facility explosions conducted by Purdue University. These reports provide critical information and awareness in the efforts to prevent these kinds of accidents. In its annual summary on nationwide grain dust explosions, Purdue University reported nine incidents in 2022 and seven in 2021 with a 10-year average of 7.8 explosions annually. Combustible Dust Safety is the latest safety training video funded by the National Grain and Feed Foundation.
Waterways Education
The Foundation provides $25,000 annually to the Waterways Council. The money supports an ongoing educational campaign that reaches thousands of viewers on the importance of waterways transportation to agricultural producers and agribusinesses. In addition to promoting the importance of maintaining waterways infrastructure for the agricultural economy, these campaigns help build the case for the funding and prioritization of important lock and dam upgrades.
Animal Agriculture Alliance
The Foundation supports NGFA’s annual membership in the Animal Agriculture Alliance, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a mission to safeguard the future of animal agriculture and its value to society. The Alliance connects key food industry stakeholders to discuss emerging issues, promotes the benefits associated with modern animal agriculture, and actively responds to misinformation campaigns organized by animal rights activists. Among the issues addressed by the Alliance are animal welfare, antibiotic use, sustainability, nutrition, and animal care. The Foundation has supported NGFA’s membership since 2009.
More projects funded by the NGFF can be found at ngfa.org/foundation.
National Grain and Feed Foundation 2022-23 Annual Report
