WASHINGTON, DC, US — Minnesota farmer and past US Grains Council (USGC) chairman Chad Willis has been selected to serve as the council’s representative on MAIZALL’s board of directors.

“I’m excited to get started and use my experiences as a farmer here in the US to contribute to the important work that MAIZALL is doing,” Willis said. “Our collaboration will make a significant impact in developing new markets and fighting global food insecurity.”

MAIZALL was established in 2013 by leaders from the USGC, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), ABRAMILHO (Brazilian Association of Corn Producers) and MAIZAR (Argentine Corn and Sorghum Federation). Growers in all three countries work together to resolve shared problems with non-tariff barriers in global markets, primarily related to agricultural biotechnology, plant breeding innovation and crop protection.

“I’d like to thank Chad for accepting this responsibility and continuing to represent the Council’s mission and values on the global stage,” said Ryan LeGrand, president and chief executive officer of the USGC. “Chad’s position in MAIZALL will ensure that a farmer’s perspective is always at the forefront of the organization as we take on the challenge of sustainably feeding and supplying markets around the world.”

MAIZALL’s directors advocate for modern farming practices through position papers and discussions with private sector stakeholders, government officials and others from international organizations such as the European Union and the World Trade Organization. MAIZALL directors often speak at international conferences, sharing their firsthand farming experiences.

Willis has been farming corn and soybeans for nearly 30 years and is a member of the Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council. Since joining the USGC, he has served on its Value-Added Advisory Team (A-Team) and was a vocal advocate for creating the Council’s Ethanol A-team before being elected chairman in 2021.