Describe the Issue or Situation.

The Kentucky Corn Growers Association hosted a Japanese trade delegation and invited Drs. Toshi Mizuta and Chad Lee to participate in the meetings. The trade delegation consisted primarily of corn millers from Japan who were very interested in sustainable cropping methods for corn management. The delegation was in Kentucky from June 23 to June 26, 2025 and visited farms and farmers in western Kentucky and central Kentucky. In addition, they visited two distilleries who are working with the central Kentucky farmers on sustainable initiatives.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

The Japanese delegation was organized by the U.S. Grains Council, an organization devoted to international trade of U.S. grains. The U.S. Grains Council is developing a new sustainability label to attach to grains that they can document were grown sustainably. They chose Kentucky because of its history with no-tillage and crop rotations.

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

There were four people representing companies that mill corn and use the milled corn for food, livestock feed, industrial applications, etc. In addition, a reporter from Japan attended the tours. There were two interpreters and two people from the U.S. Grains Council, plus Adam Andrews with Kentucky Corn. Toshi visited with the group and two farmers on the first day. Toshi and I visited with the group and 4 farmers, one master distiller, and one director of sustainability at two distilleries. 

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

The Japanese delegation was new to the concept of no-till, cover crops and strip tillage. They learned as much about the crops in rotation as they did corn, since the entire system is necessary for sustainable corn production. I was asked to visit with a Japanese reporter who was imbedded with the delegation to clarify some of the discussion. That meeting lasted about two hours.

The Kentucky Corn Growers specifically wanted to demonstrate that their farmers lean on the University of Kentucky for sound management guidance and show the connections in this state between the university, commodity organizations, grain farmers and high-quality grain consumers.

We think the preliminary outcomes are a better awareness by the Japanese delegation for how corn can be sustainably produced and the challenges with that production process. We hope this leads to long-term relations.