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Global Business Club Eyes International Ag Exports

Publish Date: Monday, February 14, 2011

Global Business Club Eyes International Ag Exports

The Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan will be presenting “Market Opportunities in Canada and Basic Export Guidelines” on Thursday, February 17, 2011, at the Henry Center for Executive Development.  This timely and insightful program focuses on opportunities for marketing and exporting to Canada.  Included are speakers Kathy Boyce of Boyce Strategic Marketing and Brian Chillman, of Shibley Righton LLP, followed by a panel discussion “Exporting to Canada, A Company Perspective” paneled by Scott Pautuk of Dawn Foods and Dan Meeuwsen of Zeeland Farm Services.   Serving as Keynote Speaker, Dan Meeuwsen will present “Exporting Successes: Tools, Lessons, and Advice from the Ag Exporter of the Year.”  A luncheon will be served at noon, following the panel discussion.

The critical role that agricultural exports play in Michigan’s economy will be highlighted by Meeuwsen, currently acting as Feed Ingredients Division Manager at Zeeland Farm Services, Inc. (ZFS).  Named Michigan’s 2009 Agricultural Exporter of the Year, ZFS serves markets throughout the U.S., as well as a growing international customer base.

Michigan, both geographically and economically, is an international player upon the world stage.  The state currently exports agricultural goods to Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Germany, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Spain, China and Italy, among others.  Additionally, Michigan’s agricultural sector contributes heavily to state and U.S. exports at over $1.7 billion annually in 2008, exporting approximately one-third of its agricultural commodities. 
Top agricultural exports for Michigan include soybeans, feed grains, fruits and vegetables.  Responsible for an estimated 19,690 plus jobs throughout the farm and agricultural industry, exports are an important part of the state economy.  With roughly 10 million acres of farmland, and 90 percent of it owned by families or individuals, this vibrant and high octane agricultural sector contributes mightily as Michigan’s second largest economic engine. 

This global vision boasts deep roots in Michigan, where Michigan State University defines its expanded role from Land Grant to World Grant University, a vision being made manifest at home and abroad, in a state-wide partnership with researchers and industry around the world.  Michigan State University is truly “At Home, On the Planet.”

Where: The Henry Center for Executive Development, Room B119, and located at 3535 Forest Road, Lansing, MI.  The program runs from 8:30 a.m. until 1:15 p.m; participants may also choose to attend only the morning workshop or only the lunch.  There is a $25 fee to attend.  Pre-registration is advised and is available online at http://GBClub.msu.edu.

 

Written by: Madison Hall, Writer, MSU-CIBER