MANHATTAN, KS – On May 27, officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) visited the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center. Key figures included Luke J. Lindberg, the USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01), and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.). They hosted a roundtable with agricultural experts to discuss important trade agreements and food security.
Justin Gilpin, CEO of Kansas Wheat, spoke about the significance of these conversations. He emphasized the need for American farmers to connect with buyers worldwide, especially amid current global uncertainties.
The day included a tour of the Hal Ross Flour Mill and discussions about U.S. involvement in global food security. Lindberg highlighted that Kansas farmers play a vital role in ensuring the world is fed. “Food security is national security,” Mann added, noting how crucial Kansas’s agricultural efforts are in aid programs like Food for Peace.
A major topic was the recent change in management of the Food for Peace program to the USDA. Earlier this year, USDA announced it would provide 30,000 metric tons of wheat for emergency feeding programs in East Africa. This shipment, alongside other commodities like rice and sorghum, aims to address rising hunger in the region.
Dalton Henry, USW’s vice president of policy, also stressed the importance of this administration transition. “We take pride in supporting global food security,” he said. With the first Food for Peace shipment set to leave Kansas next month, there’s a growing sense of urgency and commitment to tackle global hunger.
After their time in Manhattan, Rep. Mann and Under Secretary Lindberg also toured the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and ADM Milling. Their final stop was the farm of Greg Wilson, a local farmer and state representative.
Historically, U.S. farmers have supported food aid initiatives, dating back to the establishment of Food for Peace in 1954. The program began with a Kansas farmer’s idea to use surplus commodities to help those in need worldwide. Today, U.S. wheat remains a cornerstone of these efforts, often making up half of the food aid sent abroad.
Under Secretary Lindberg praised Kansas’s agricultural strength, noting its role in global food security. Kansas continues to lead in exports not just of wheat, but also of corn, soybeans, and beef. This commitment to feeding the world springs from a legacy of generosity and community spirit embedded in the state’s farming culture.
As global food needs increase, the role of American farmers in international food assistance continues to be crucial. Their efforts ensure that not only is the U.S. a major agricultural player, but it also embodies humanitarian values through initiatives like Food for Peace.
