The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) announced today that it has been awarded $17 million in additional funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under its Regional Agriculture Promotion Program (RAPP). This funding will be used to develop crucial markets for the future of U.S. agriculture exports.
“USDA’s decision to distribute additional investment is a wonderful show of confidence in the Council and its partners to continue blazing a trail in foreign markets on behalf of U.S. agriculture,” said Brent Boydston, USGC chairman. “The future of the Council and its programming has never been brighter and I am certain there will be incredible results for producers, buyers, and sellers alike.”
RAPP was initiated following a request from the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to bolster, diversify, and expand market opportunities for U.S. agriculture products. This funding round is the first of five tranches, with the next one scheduled for 2026.
The majority of the Council’s RAPP funding will enhance its programming in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, South, and Southeast Asia, where rapid population and economic growth is driving demand for high-quality agriculture products that the U.S. industry will be positioned to meet. Other portions of the investment will strengthen U.S. producers’ positions in existing top export markets and add staff at the Council’s Washington, D.C. headquarters to manage and administer the Council’s increased international activity.
“RAPP funding is a game changer for the Council and other cooperators representing U.S. products in international markets and will allow a significant expansion of the great work that Council staff are already doing worldwide,” said Ryan LeGrand, USGC president and CEO. “Thank you to USDA for its constant support of the Council and for recognizing the need to continue improving U.S. export market promotion efforts.”
