Member Archives - Page 2 of 3

Softwood Export Council

Softwood Export Council (SEC) is a trade organization working to promote strategic export market development for American-made softwood products. SEC represents U.S. softwood grading agencies, industry trade associations, state export promotional agencies, and others with a stake in global trade for softwood lumber. SEC creates an overseas presence, educating potential buyers and updating members on ever-changing economic policies world-wide. SEC conducts research on emerging markets and sustainability and stays up to date on the shifting economic marketplace on behalf of its members.

Organic Trade Association

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing over 8,500 organic businesses across 50 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers’ associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. Organic products represented include organic foods, ingredients and beverages, as well as organic fibers, personal care products, pet foods, nutritional supplements, household cleaners and flowers. OTA’s member organic businesses work together through networking, advocacy, and other initiatives to encourage and protect organic farming practices, and to share messages about the positive environmental and nutritional attributes of organic products with consumers, the media, and policymakers.

U.S. Soybean Export Council

USSEC is a dynamic partnership of key stakeholders representing soybean producers, commodity shippers, merchandisers, allied agribusinesses and agricultural organizations. Production of U.S. soybeans is based on a national system of sustainability and conservation laws and regulations combined with careful implementation of best production practices by the nation’s 279,110 soybean farms. In addition, U.S. soybean producers participate in numerous certified and audited voluntary sustainability and conservation programs. Since 1980, U.S. farmers increased soy production by 96% while using 8% less energy. Greenhouse gas emissions decreased 41% per tonne of U.S. soybean production since 1980.

USA Rice Federation

The USA Rice Federation is the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry with a mission to promote and protect the interests of producers, millers, merchants and allied businesses. The USA Rice Federation represents a commitment to consensus-building, to equipping the U.S. rice industry with the strength of a united voice. On a national level, U.S. rice production has become increasingly efficient over the years, relying on fewer inputs to produce more rice. The rice industry is moving toward meeting increasing demand while achieving a reduced environmental impact for every 100 pounds of rice produced. America’s rice farmers produce more than 20 billion pounds of rice each year, providing 85 percent of the rice that is consumed in the United States.

USA Poultry & Egg Export Council

The USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, known by the acronym USAPEEC, is a trade association of the U.S. poultry and egg industry that is dedicated to increasing exports of U.S. poultry and eggs worldwide. Through its international network around the globe, USAPEEC keeps current on issues that have a direct impact on U.S. poultry and egg exports. The heritage of the family farm and the importance of the land have allowed the poultry and egg industries to take the lead in sustainable development practices as a core principle to maintain a safe and secure food supply and in fundamentally preserving hundreds of rural economies in many states.

North Carolina SweetPotato Commission

The North Carolina SweetPotato Commission Inc. is a non-profit corporation with more than 450 members representing the state’s producers, packers, shippers, and other supply chain partners. The Commission’s mission is to market the North Carolina sweetpotato industry and increase consumption of this tropical vegetable through education, promotional activities, research, and advanced horticulture practices among its growers. Thanks to the six sweetpotato farmers that chartered the Commission in 1961, the organization has maintained North Carolina’s ranking as the number one sweet potato-producing state in the United States since 1971. The state’s hot, moist climate and fertile, sandy soil make it ideal for cultivating sweetpotatoes. Its innovative, progressive producers also play a vital role in its success. More than 98% are part of family operations, and they farm with the intention of future generations continuing their legacy. These producers also recognize the value of agricultural research and collaborate with research institutions in the state and beyond to push the boundaries of what is possible – from increasing yield and improving pest resistance to minimizing waste by ensuring year-round shelf stability.

North American Export Grain Association

NAEGA works to promote and sustain the development of the export trade from the United States of grains, oilseeds and primary products processed there from. NAEGA consists of private and publicly owned companies and farmer-owned cooperatives that are involved in and provide services to the bulk grain and oilseed exporting industry. NAEGA’s mission is to promote and sustain the development of commercial export of grain and oilseed and their primary products. NAEGA operating philosophy is “Working Together to Make Trade Work”.

North American Renderers Associations

Since 1933, the North American Renderers Association (NARA) has been helping the rendering industry grow, advance, and become leaders in recycling and sustainability. The rendering industry consists of more than three-dozen firms operating more than 200 plants across the U.S. and Canada. From the slaughter of more than 150 million head of cattle, calves, hogs, and sheep and more than 55 billion pounds of poultry annually, an enormous amount of byproducts are transformed into nearly 20 billion pounds of highly valuable feed and industrial products in the form of various types of fats and proteins. Rendering is a green industry that protects the environment by recycling carbon and energy and allowing items such as byproducts to be utilized as valuable pet or livestock feed ingredients or biodiesel rather than entering a landfill. Rendering is the most efficient and environmentally sound disposal alternative and has a low carbon footprint.

Leather and Hide Council of America

Formed by the 2020 merger of the U.S. Hide, Skin and Leather Association and Leather Industries of America, the Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) is a full-service industry trade association representing the entire U.S. leather supply chain, including meatpackers, hides and skins processors, traders, leather tanners, finished leather goods producers, footwear companies, chemical suppliers, machinery producers, trade media and market reporters, freight forwarders, transportation service providers, financial institutions and more. The association provides its members with government, public relations, and international trade assistance and support. LHCA is a cooperator organization under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s foreign market development programs, assisting U.S. firms develop new markets for U.S. agricultural exports. LHCA is at the forefront of the industry’s needs, providing members with education and technical information to compete in today’s global marketplace.

Intertribal Agriculture Council

The Intertribal Agriculture Council (the IAC) was founded in 1987 to promote the conservation, development, and use of Indian agricultural resources for the benefit of the Indian people. Before 1987, American Indian agriculture was virtually unheard-of outside reservation boundaries. Since then, the IAC has established itself as the most respected voice in the Indian community and government circles on agricultural policies and programs in Indian country, representing food and agricultural producers across 574 Native American and Alaskan tribes. The IAC is committed to advancing regenerative agriculture and works with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service on programs to enhance the environmental stewardship of Native American lands while respecting traditional, cultural, and Native-led agricultural wisdom.

Food Export USA – Northeast

Food Export USA – Northeast is a non-profit organization that promotes the export of food and agricultural products from the northeast region of the United States. The organization has been helping exporters of northeast food and agricultural products sell their products overseas since 1973, when it was first created as a cooperative effort between 10 northeastern state agricultural promotion agencies and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Food Export-Northeast, in conjunction with its member states, provides a wide range of services to facilitate trade between local food suppliers and importers around the world. These services include: export promotion, customized export assistance, and a cost-share funding program.

Food Export Association of the Midwest USA

Food Export Association of the Midwest USA is a non-profit organization that promotes the export of food and agricultural products from the Midwestern region of the United States. Food Export-Midwest, in conjunction with its member states, provides a wide range of services to facilitate trade between local food suppliers and importers around the world. These services include: export promotion, customized export assistance, and a cost-share funding program.