USDA Awards Additional Millions to Build Agriculture Exports

May 23, 2024

This week, the U.S. Grains Council received notice of additional funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture under its Regional Agriculture Promotion Program (RAPP). The award will disperse $17 million to USGC for use in developing markets that will build U.S. agriculture exports.

 

“The U.S. Grains Council is IL Corn’s most important partner when we think about growing international markets for corn and corn products like ethanol,” said Mark Wilson, USGC Secretary-Treasurer and farmer from Toulon. “This additional funding from the USDA will bolster the Council’s ability to build relationships and capitalize on opportunities to bring U.S. agricultural products to new areas that show potential for export growth.”

 

RAPP was launched after 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 round of funding is the first of five tranches, with the next coming in 2026.

 

The majority of the Council’s RAPP funding will be used to enhance its programming in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, where rapid population and economic growth is creating demand for high-quality agriculture products that the U.S. industry will be positioned to meet.

 

Other portions of the investment will be committed to solidifying U.S. producers’ stances in existing top export markets and to add staff in the Council’s Washington, D.C. headquarters to properly manage and administer the Council’s higher 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.”

 

The Illinois Corn Checkoff is an important funding partner of the U.S. Grains Council. Two Illinois corn farmers sit on the USGC Board of Directors, and many other farmer leaders participate in yearly meetings to direct USGC export programs. Together, we work to develop markets, enable trade, and improve lives.

Ted
By Tara Desmond July 24, 2025
Vietnam veteran and Illinois farmer Ted shares his journey from war to farming, showing the strength and resilience of America’s rural veterans.
Justin Moore headshot
By Tara Desmond July 23, 2025
Meet Justin Moore a staff member at IL Corn.
washington dc photo
By Lindsay Croke July 17, 2025
“If such language is included in the policy recommendations, it could significantly hamper the work of America’s farmers and raise prices on consumers without providing any additional layer of safety for the American public,” the letter said. “If the pesticides in the original report were to disappear completely, crop
FFA students at USDA
By Lyndi Allen July 17, 2025
IL Corn leaders met with lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to discuss key ag priorities like trade, conservation, ethanol, and lock and dam infrastructure, while mentoring the next generation of advocates from Illinois FFA.
corn
By Lydia Rogers July 14, 2025
Debunking Myths
headshot of Shelby Watson
By Tara Desmond July 14, 2025
We recently caught up with Shelby Watson following the announcement of her promotion to Director, The Americas & Allied Industry Programs at USAPEEC. In her expanded role, Shelby is taking on new responsibilities across Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Show More