U.S. Wheat Associates brought international customers to Kansas State University for a week-long grain procurement and purchasing course designed to strengthen global wheat trade relationships.
Educational program builds market connections
The IGP-KSU course ran from May 10-16, 2026, at the IGP Institute on Kansas State University’s north campus in Manhattan, Kansas. The program featured orientation sessions covering the U.S. grain production and marketing system, including USDA grain standards and grading, ocean freight, contract terms, and futures and derivatives.
Participants visited the Cargill Grain Terminal in Topeka and met with representatives from the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Soybean Commission. The group also toured the Kansas Grain Inspection Service, where officials explained U.S. wheat inspection and grading procedures.
Caribbean millers gain practical insights
Stephanie Bryant-Erdmann, USW assistant regional director for the Mexican, Central American, Caribbean Region, accompanied two Caribbean milling participants to the course. One participant received funding through the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program, while the other was self-sponsored.
“The IGP short course in Kansas goes beyond classroom learning – it brings the U.S. wheat marketing system to life,” Bryant-Erdmann said. “By connecting Caribbean millers directly with U.S. and Kansas farmers, it puts face, families and stories to the wheat arriving in their mills.”
Strategic partnerships support wheat promotion
USW sponsors purchasing staff and executives from top milling companies to attend these educational programs. The courses help buyers source higher-quality wheat at competitive prices and better evaluate offers from various suppliers.
The IGP Institute joins the Northern Crops Institute at North Dakota State University and the Wheat Marketing Center in Portland, Oregon, as key educational partners in USW’s global wheat promotion efforts.
