AGI Contributes $100,000 To Help Fund Grain Industry Education Programs
MINNEAPOLIS (Oct. 7) – The GEAPS Foundation is pleased to announce the receipt of a $100,000 commitment from Ag Growth International (AGI). The contribution is the largest to date by a grain industry equipment, service or technology solutions supplier company to the GEAPS Foundation Professional Development Programs Endowment Fund.
The GEAPS Foundation was established by the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) in 2011 as a mechanism to secure a stable and predictable funding stream to support GEAPS’ training for grain and processing industry operations professionals.
“It is in everyone’s best interest to develop trusted, credible and reliable training on operational best practices for our industry. It will encourage the next generation of grain system designers and operators to seek high quality safe and efficient solutions. We at AGI are very proud to participate in this very creative and worthwhile initiative,” said Gary Anderson, president and chief executive officer, Ag Growth International.
“AGI’s contribution shows the cooperation and commitment we see from our grain industry product and service suppliers. By supporting the development of courses for the GEAPS/Kansas State University (K-State) distance education program AGI is demonstrating its dedication to the work we do today and how we train the grain industry operations professionals to safely and sustainably feed the world in the future,” said Mark Fedje, GEAPS Foundation board chair, and terminal elevator maintenance team leader, General Mills.
The GEAPS/K-State Distance Education Program provides online, peer-reviewed CEU courses taught by grain industry leaders in operations safety and grain quality management, facility design, materials handling, and equipment maintenance. The courses help strengthen the skills of today’s workforce and grow the knowledge of tomorrow’s grain industry professionals. In 2012, the industry’s first-ever credentialing program, offering a Credential in Grain Operations Management (CGOM), was added.
“Everyone in the grain industry can benefit from the GEAPS/K-State courses,” said Bill Lyster, GEAPS International Board chair and special projects manager at Ag Partners. Lyster noted that 16 percent of course participants are from grain industry operations supplier companies.
The GEAPS Foundation is working to raise $4 million over five years to support the GEAPS/K-State Distance Education Program. All money raised will go to the Foundation’s Professional Development Programs Endowment Fund, which will provide a sustainable funding resource for the enhancement and expansion of the GEAPS/K-State course offerings.
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About the GEAPS Foundation
The GEAPS Foundation was established in 2011 by the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) as a mechanism to secure stable and predictable funding to support training grain and processing industry operators and managers.
About GEAPS
GEAPS is an international professional association with approximately 2,600 individual members. Most are employed in the grain handling operations industry and related fields. GEAPS promotes safety, quality, professionalism, networking, innovation and information sharing in grain operations around the world. GEAPS has dedicated itself to becoming the knowledge resource for the grain handling industry. GEAPS is the only individual-membership organization in the grain handling operations industry, dedicated to providing members with forums to generate leadership, innovation and excellence in grain-related industry operations. Visit our website at www.geaps.com, follow us on Twitter at @geapsinfo, like us on Facebook and join our LinkedIn group to find out more.
About Ag Growth International
Ag Growth International (AGI) is a leading manufacturer of portable and stationary grain handling, storage and conditioning equipment including augers, belt conveyors, grain storage bins, grain handling accessories, grain aeration equipment and grain drying systems. AGI has 11 manufacturing facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Finland. Its sales, marketing and distribution system distributes products in 48 states, nine provinces, and internationally. For more information regarding AGI, please visit www.aggrowth.com.
--GEAPS Foundation
Contact: Ione Terrio, ione@geaps.com; (952) 928-4640