AFIA, GEAPS Sign Agreement to Expand Educational Opportunities

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last week aimed at expanding the educational and professional development opportunities available to members of both organizations.

The 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; and GEAPS, an international association of grain handling and processing professionals, will collaborate to connect their members with select educational courses, industry events and other resources offered by each association. The organizations will also coordinate enrollment processes and jointly promote eligible opportunities to their respective memberships.

"We are excited to partner with GEAPS to expand the programs and educational opportunities available to our members," said AFIA's 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."

"GEAPS and AFIA share a strong commitment to supporting the professionals and businesses that keep the agricultural supply chain moving," said GEAPS Chief Executive Officer John Caupert. "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."

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 access AFIA's premier industry events, like the Liquid Feed Symposium and the Equipment Manufacturers Conference, for a discounted rate. Reciprocally, AFIA members will receive a discounted rate for GEAPS' Online Learning modules and attendance to 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 over a year, this partnership builds on the organizations' shared commitment to providing practical education that supports experts to strengthen their operations, develop their workforces and 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.