USDBC Board Meeting Covers New Programs and Elects New Officers

USDBC convened its annual winter board meeting in San Diego, CA on January 27 & 28. During the day and a half meeting, all standing committees met to conduct business and review 2022 priorities before moving to a plenary session to conduct association business and hold officer elections. Meeting highlights included a review of strategies to re-engage in food assistance programs, a discussion of USDBC’s new global public relations plan to launch in February 2022, a review of upcoming opportunities to conduct business in Cuba, and a discussion of industry priorities in light of upcoming Farm Bill deliberations. During the plenary session, board members discussed new funding from three Global Broad-Based Initiatives (GBI) programs funded by USDA/FAS that cover the challenge of Global MRLs, a Pulses for Health Initiative in Mexico/Latin America, and a newly funded program focused on the carbon neutrality of pulses to take place in Europe. Board members heard from Chef Brad Barnes about the ongoing promotion of bean ingredients and other bean innovation initiatives in partnership with the Culinary Institute of America. The Board also heard about plans for the upcoming Hybrid Global Buyers’ event, BeanCon22.

The meeting ended with the election of a new slate of officers naming Clint Stoutenburg – Michigan Bean Commission as President, Courtney Schuler of Rocky Mountain Bean Dealers as Vice President, and Kevin Regan of Northarvest Bean Growers as Treasurer. Congratulations to the new officers who face another busy and exciting year ahead for the U.S. dry bean industry.