GEAPS Chief Executive Officer John Caupert, left, and AFIA Chief Operating Officer Megan Provost, right, sign a memorandum of understanding expanding educational and professional development opportunities for members of both organizations. Photo credit: Grain Elevator and Processing Society.
Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) and the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) signed a memorandum of understanding last week aimed at expanding educational and professional development opportunities available to members of both organizations.
GEAPS, an international association of grain handling and grain processing professionals, and AFIA, the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the U.S. animal food industry and its suppliers, will collaborate to connect their members with select educational courses, industry events and other resources offered by each association. The organizations also will coordinate enrollment processes and jointly promote eligible opportunities to their respective memberships.
“GEAPS and AFIA share a strong commitment to supporting the professionals and businesses that keep the agricultural supply chain moving,” said John Caupert, GEAPS chief executive officer. “The grain, grain processing and animal feed industries are closely connected, and this partnership creates opportunities for employees to access educational programming, exchange knowledge and build relationships by combining our strengths and resources. We’re excited about the potential of this partnership and the greater value it will bring to members of both organizations.”
“We are excited to partner with GEAPS to expand the programs and educational opportunities available to our members,” said AFIA Chief Operating Officer Megan Provost. “By bringing together the strengths and expertise of our two organizations, we can provide industry professionals with more resources to grow their knowledge, build their skills and support the continued success of the feed and grain industries.”
Under the MOU, eligible GEAPS members can access AFIA’s training modules and professional growth opportunities, such as the biennial Feed Industry Institute, as well as AFIA’s industry events, including the Liquid Feed Symposium and the Equipment Manufacturers’ Conference, at a discounted rate. Reciprocally, AFIA members will receive discounts on GEAPS’ online learning modules and attendance at the GEAPS Exchange and GEAPS Leadership Conference. The organizations will announce specific eligible programs and registration information as they become available.
In the making for more than a year, the partnership builds on the organizations’ shared commitment to providing practical education that supports professionals across the feed and grain industries, strengthens their operations, develops their workforces and helps them respond to evolving challenges throughout the feed and grain sectors.
To learn more about AFIA’s educational programs and upcoming events, visit afia.org/events. Additional information about GEAPS’ educational offerings is available at geaps.com.