The GEAPS Foundation announces 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,” said Gary Anderson, president and chief executive officer, Ag Growth International. “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,”

“AGI’s contribution shows the cooperation and commitment we see from our grain industry product and service suppliers,” said Mark Fedje, GEAPS Foundation board chair, and terminal elevator maintenance team leader, General Mills. “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.”

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.
                                                         
For more information, visit www.geaps.com.

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