Whole Grain

Safety is an important topic in the grain industry, but are you prepared? For Dawn Chisholm, who lost her husband in a tragic grain entrapment accident, the answer to this question is personal. Listen as she shares her story of grief, hope, and faith in the hopes of saving lives and bringing people home safe.

About the guest:

Dawn Chisholm lost her first husband, Bill, in a tragic grain entrapment accident.  She started If Only to share her story and raise awareness about workplace safety. During each speaking engagement, her goal is to "emotionally connect with audience members on a deeply personal level.  My hope is that after hearing my story, the listeners will make safe, wise choices when faced with options in their workplace and/or personal life." 

 Episode topics: 

• Dawn Chisholm's story
• Workplace conversations
• Safety preparedness 

Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.

What can enhance yields, reduce costs, and give your farm a competitive advantage? The answer is precision agriculture! Listen as Michael Boehlje and Michael Langemeier, two professors from the Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, define this product of the agricultural revolution and its implications on the grain industry.

 About the guests:

Michael Boehlje is a distinguished professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and the Center for Food and Agricultural Business at Purdue University. A major theme of his research, writing, and lecturing for the past 10 years has been the importance of strategic planning and thinking, and positioning the firm for longterm viability and success.

Michael Langemeier is an associate director in the Center For Commercial Agriculture and  a professor in the Department Of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University. His research interests include cropping systems, benchmarking, strategic management, cost of production, and technical and economic efficiency.

 Episode topics: 

• Defining precision agriculture 
• What does it look like to adopt precision agriculture?
• Limitations of precision agriculture
• Strongest players and supporters of precision agriculture
• Future implications of precision agriculture on grain industry 

Resource: 

• "Potential Payoffs of Precision Agriculture" by Michael Boehlje and Michael Langemeier

To find more helpful resources, be sure to visit the GEAPS website and the membership page.  

Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.

During a time when industry professionals are trying to navigate a world of uncertainty, how can grain industry suppliers be more innovative and future-focused? JR Volcko from IBT Industrial Solutions has some ideas! 

 About the guests:

JR Volcko is a respected consultive sales specialist at IBT Industrial Solutions, a full-service industrial supplier that's been helping customers maintain efficient, productive, and safe workplace facilities through quality industrial MRO supplies, products, and services since 1949. 

 Episode topics: 

• Why grain industry suppliers need to be innovative and future-focused
• How suppliers can do more than just order takers
• How to prevent unexpected downtime
• How top-notch industrial expertise and superior customer service serves the industry
• The biggest challenges grain operation organizations are facing

To find more helpful resources, be sure to visit the GEAPS website and the membership page.  

Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.

What's a vital part of the grain industry that stretches globally and has been making headlines the last 2-3 years? Grain supply chains! Listen as Dr. Bobby Martens, an Associate Professor of Economics and researcher of agriculture and supply chain management, discusses the risks and points of resiliency in grain's supply chain—and why we should all care.

 About the guests:

Dr. Bobby Martens is the Iowa Institute for Cooperatives Endowed Professor of Economics and Associate Professor of Economics in the Iowa State University Department of Economics.  He has over 25 years of logistics and supply chain management experience, including 15 years as an Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management in the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business, also at Iowa State University.

Martens earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University and MS and BS degrees in Agricultural Economics from North Dakota State University. He enjoys spending time with his wife and four children and operating a small farm near Ames.

Episode topics:

• Supply chain management: What is it? And why should we care?
• Logistics: inventories and transportation
• Future predictions for tech's influence on grain industry

To find more helpful resources, be sure to visit the GEAPS website and the membership page.  

Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.

What’s the biggest and best grain show in the industry? GEAPS Exchange! This episode will get you excited to attend this year’s event as you hear attendees share their personal stories of what makes GEAPS Exchange unmissable. You’ll also learn what to expect as GEAPS staff describe the event logistics and details. 

About the guests:

GEAPS Staff

Deb Most manages GEAPS’ membership and chapter development, serves as the staff liaison to the Membership and Chapter Resource Committees, and manages GEAPS’ database technology and integrations and the Safety Award Program.

Brittany Labatt is the sales and conference manager at GEAPS.

Betsy Polis is the senior product manager at GEAPS. She manages member services programs including virtual and continuing education programs. She is also staff liaison to the Exchange Education Planning Committee.

Adrianne Fjerstad-Miller is the conference and expo director at GEAPS and manages planning and production of GEAPS conferences and trade shows and serves as staff liaison to the Exchange Futures Committee.

Attendees

Chuck Vollmer is a producer and farmer from Lancaster, KS who runs a cow/calf operation and grows corn and soybeans.

April-Hope Wareham is the regional continuous improvement lead at Cargill. 

Steve Myers is an elevator superintendent at Bunge Milling in Atchison, KS, and he served as the former GEAPS international president.

Chuck Kunisch is the corporate safety director and specialty soybean manager at Michigan Agricultural Commodities in Lansing, MI.  He is also the current first Vice President of the GEAPS International Board.

Episode topics:

• What is GEAPS Exchange?
• Ways to connect
• Educational opportunities
• Trade show details

Important 2023 GEAPS Exchange links:

• Exchange website
• Registration 
• Schedule
• Educational Opportunities 
• Become an exhibitor 
• Floor plan
• Sponsors 

Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.

What's a massive logistical undertaking that is highly efficient, adventurous, and deals with massive volumes of grain on enormous ships ready to take the seas for up to 18 days? The answer may surprise you! Listen as Perry Nettles and Alex Luce, two grain professionals who help support the assurance of grain quality, share the exciting story of grain fumigation at port terminals.

 About the guests:

Perry Nettles is the south region manager at Ecolab Specialty Pest Services and also the GEAPS 2022 Corbett Award winner.

Alex Luce is a treasurer of the GEAPS Columbia River Chapter and is the business development manager in the west region at Ecolab Specialty Pest Services.

 Episode topics:

• Three factors to consider when fumigating a vessel
• Process of preparation for fumigation near the grain terminals
• Fumigation requirements for different countries importing grain

To find more helpful resources, be sure to visit the GEAPS website and the membership page.  

Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.

What are the current risks to our national and global food security? How do cyber-attacks play a role? What are the conflicts in the grain industry that prevent us from moving forward? Dr. Molly Jahn and Col. John Hoffman, two of the most sought-after food security experts in the world, provide their recommendations for real solutions to this growing problem. 

 About the guests:

 Dr. Molly Jahn is a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she holds appointments in the Department of Agronomy, the Nelson Institute, and the Global Health Institute. She is currently on an interagency personnel agreement from UW-Madison to work as a program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). She is also appointed Joint Faculty at the US Department of Energy Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) where she chairs the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Energy and Environmental Sciences Directorate and sits on the Lab Director’s SAC. 


Col. John T. Hoffman is a senior research fellow with the Food Protection and Defense Institute (FPDI), a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence at the University of Minnesota. Col. Hoffman has extensive experience in developing, operating, hardening and sustaining extensive cyber systems. 

 Episode topics:

•  Current global food security measures
• Implications of cyber threats on food security
• Cyber-attack preparedness and current limitations
• Action steps for the grain industry

To find more helpful resources, be sure to visit the GEAPS website and the membership page.  

Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.

You’ll find out different ways GEAPS chapters support your business, your professional development, and the expansion of your industry network. Two Canadian Prairies GEAPS Chapter leaders serve as guests on this episode of Whole Grain.  They’ll also share some of the biggest challenges they feel the grain handling and processing industry is facing.
 
The Canadian Prairies Chapter consists of over 200 members. Denis Tetrault serves as president of the chapter. Denis is director of sales and marketing at FWS Group of Companies.  Ramzy Farrag, who also serves as a guest on the show, is the vice president of the Canadian Prairies chapter. Ramzy is the build project manager at Cargill out of Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada. Deb Most, GEAPS' member and chapter manager, also joins the show and provides insights on how GEAPS chapters can support you and your team.

Denis and Ramzy share how their chapter best serves the greater grain handling and processing industry. They also share examples of training and networking events that the chapter plans each and every year, including the GEAPS Canadian Prairies Expo called the "Coolest" Trade Show. It will take place will take place on January 11th & 12th, 2023 at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg.

If you are interested in attending the "Coolest" Show, be sure to sign up and register here. If you prefer to register as a vendor and have a booth, access this link for easy registration. The "Coolest" Trade show is sure to support any grain handling and processing professional with its many education sessions, networking opportunities and access to innovative grain product and service organizations.

The Canadian Prairies chapter also utilizes the international GEAPS training and educational offerings, such as on-demand courses, webinars, the video library, and a host of Whole Grain podcast episodes.

The Canadian Prairies GEAPS Chapter leaders and members also look forward to attending the GEAPS Exchange - the biggest and best show in the industry!

Denis and Ramsy share what they believe are the biggest opportunities and challenges in the industry. And you'll want to listen on how their chapter supports engagement of all members. The chapter is 100% behind in supporting future grain professionals. The Canadian Prairies chapter is devoted to supporting the industry and future grain professionals as they continue to generate fundraising events in support of Ag in the Classroom.

GEAPS website puts a spotlight on all the great work of the GEAPS chapters. Deb Most, GEAPS' member and chapter manager, is also featured on the show. Deb shares her insights on how GEAPS can best serve you. Learn how to gain quick access to the leaders and activities GEAPS chapters are planning throughout the year. You can easily access information on GEAPS chapters on our website, including the Canadian

Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.

In today’s show we welcome Dr. Charles Hurburgh. Charlie manages the Iowa State Grain Quality Research Laboratory and the extension-based Iowa Grain Quality Initiative that’s focused on grain handling, grain processing, grain distribution. 

Charlie is a native Iowan and continues to operate the family farm. He has a bachelor's degree, master's degree, and doctoral degree from Iowa State, and specializes in quality management systems with related traceability, measurement, and sensor technologies. He has been a GEAPS member since 1983 and was elected in 2022 as a GEAPS International Board Director.

He serves on several key advisory and editorial committees related to quality management standards and food safety regulations. Most recently his extension group was asked by the FDA to create training materials for inspections of bulk grain and grain processing facilities under the Food Safety Modernization Act. 

He is the author of more than 250 technical and general articles on grain quality, measurement science, and grain marketing. 

We discuss a number of topics including:

• Grain quality 
• Annual crop quality and crop storage reports
• Culture change within the grain handling and processing industry 
• FDA and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) 
• Traceability

Be sure to visit the GEAPS website and the membership page to learn about all the membership benefits.  

Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.

In today’s show we’ll hear from Mark Avery. You might know Mark Grain Journal, Seed Today, Milling Journal and other publications.

Mark graduated college on a Sunday, started working at Country Journal that Monday and joined GEAPS three years after that! As they say, it was the start of a long and wonderful friendship! He has been a member of GEAPS for more than 40 years—and has the pin to prove it!

While GEAPS and Country Journal Publishing have worked together closely for many years, this year Country Journal Publishing became GEAPS Media Group. We are so happy to have Mark officially be a part of the GEAPS team! Mark now serves as president of GEAPS Media Group, he also serves on the GEAPS Foundation board.

The GEAPS Media Group publishes four trade magazines; Grain Journal, Milling Journal, Seed Today, and Processing Journal. To sign up to receive free copies for any of the trade magazines by visiting Grainnet.com.

Be sure to visit the GEAPS website and the membership page to learn about all the membership benefits.

Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.

Listen to Casey Abel, safety manager of the Gavilon Group and member of GEAPS Board of Directors!  Casey discusses a new vision for safety in the workplace. 

Casey believes in order for an organization to be successful, safety must be the top priority. He says safety is a never-ending journey and we must learn, evolve and invest in safety systems as new challenges present themselves. Casey is committed to making sure everyone on his team goes home to their family at the end of each workday. 

A long-time member of GEAPS, Casey has not only enjoyed the many opportunities that come with membership, but has worked to create opportunities for others. This past year, Casey worked to help found the Lonestar Chapter so his industry colleagues in the Fort Worth, Texas area could come together. 

GEAPS has meant so much to Casey’s career you’d think it was his plan all along! Hear from Casey about how a professor and a visit to GEAPS Exchange completely changed his career path.  

Be sure to visit the GEAPS website and the membership page to learn about all the membership benefits.  

Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.

You’ll get to hear not only from Steve Records who serves as executive director of GEAPS and CEO of GEAPS Media Group, but also from Chris Blair, president of  GEAPS Board of Directors.  Chris serves as Western District Manager and oversees five area managers at NEW Cooperative in Iowa. NEW Cooperative has grown rapidly over the last seven years, they have 800 employees at their 60 locations in the great state of Iowa.

Steve and Chris  are leaders of the world’s largest professional association dedicated to the advancement of the grain handling and processing industry. You’ll find out from them why they are excited about GEAPS members. And they'll share some of the future improvement projects for the organization.

Steve Records and Chris Blair add  their perspectives on some of the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in the industry. GEAPS also produces the biggest and best show in the grain industry, GEAPS Exchange. And they’ll share many of the reasons why GEAPS members keep coming back year after year to  Exchange. 

The Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) announced Feb. 1 the nearly 100-year-old association has entered into an agreement to purchase Country Journal Publishing Company, the publisher of Grain Journal, Milling Journal and Seed Today magazines. The acquisition, which closed in the summer of 2022, gives GEAPS a significantly expanded reach in the industry and adds resources for members.

What was formerly known as Country Journal Publishing has become GEAPS Media Group, a newly formed GEAPS for-profit subsidiary.

Be sure to visit the GEAPS website and the membership page to learn about all the membership benefits.

Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.

Looking for a go-to resource to gain new insights and perspectives on what’s happening within the grain handling and grain processing industry? You’ve found it with Whole Grain! Join us each episode of Whole Grain as we support your personal professional development by discussing hot topics with industry leaders. 

The Grain Elevator and Processing Society is an international professional membership association that serves as the knowledge resource for the grain handling and processing industry.  The mission of the organization is about people, knowledge, and information. The mission of the industry is about feeding the world.

The grain handling and processing industry is rich in innovation. It is filled with incredible designers and thinkers—diverse in skill sets, backgrounds, and experience. Folks in our industry are inventive and highly supportive when it comes to safety! This is an industry brimming in talent, providing solutions to today’s challenges and forging the future of brighter tomorrows. 

Thanks for being part of the greater GEAPS podcast community as we continue to move the industry forward by supporting you with best practices, a culture of safety, innovative products and services, industry outlooks and educational opportunities. We look forward discussing workforce development challenges, developing your leadership and strategic thinking skills, providing a unique global industry perspective, and expanding your industry network. 

Visit GEAPS.com for more information. Subscribe to Whole Grain on your favorite podcast directory so all shows will be dropped on your device as soon as they are released. To connect with Jim Lenz, show host and director of training and education of GEAPS, email him at james@geaps.com. 

Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.