Former U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) At-Large Board Member Duane Aistrope was recognized for his 15 years of service to the organization at its 23rd International Marketing Conference and 66th Annual Membership Meeting in Panama City, Panama earlier this month.
Aistrope is a member of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) and farms corn, soybeans and alfalfa in addition to raising livestock with his son and brother in Randolph.
“Most farmers have no idea what it takes to move our products around the world. I was that way before I got involved, once I delivered my grain to the elevator it wasn’t my problem anymore,” Aistrope said.
“But after my first year of really seeing what makes everything play out, I felt like I needed to get more involved and do my part, what I could do for my fellow farmers across the nation.”
He was a longtime member of the Council’s Innovation and Sustainability Advisory Team (A-Team), a topic he holds great interest in, and served terms as A-Team leader and board liaison for the group.
“My fondest memories are meetings with end users around the world. They really appreciate the farmer’s perspective, taking the time from their farms to come overseas and explain why we need them as a partner and a purchaser,” Aistrope said.
“I’ve been all over, and the Council’s international directors do such an excellent job of setting up the right meetings with the right people to move our products into these markets.”
When he isn’t farming or participating in ICPB or USGBC meetings, Aistrope enjoys spending time with his family, including three grandchildren, and camping and skiing.
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