By Blake Jackson
Kentucky Corn, in collaboration with the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), recently welcomed buyers from Japanese starch milling companies interested in learning how American farmers are working to decarbonize the corn they import.
The goal of the visit was to demonstrate how Kentucky farmers’ values and sustainability efforts align with international buyers’ expectations, helping build long-term demand for U.S.-grown corn.
The tour kicked off at Lester Family Farms in Cadiz, where Micah Lester highlighted conservation practices such as no-till and strip-till farming, cover cropping, and maintaining year-round living roots.
The visitors saw these methods in action, with corn in tassel and remnants of cover crops still present offering clear evidence of sustainable practices.
Next, the group visited Brandon Hunt in Herndon amid the busy wheat harvest and double-crop soybean planting. Witnessing the entire process from harvest to replanting, they learned how growing high-yield wheat supports soil health functioning much like a cover crop to maintain living roots throughout the year.
In Hopkinsville, USDA and NRCS officials met with the delegation to explain how conservation compliance works in the U.S. Brian Hacker from NRCS discussed land-use regulations, auditing protocols, and the consequences of non-compliance, giving visitors insight into the country’s regulatory structure.
At Peterson Farms in Loretto, farmers Scott Ebelhar, Bernard Peterson, and Grant Ziliak discussed growing corn tailored for the distilling industry. Their partnerships with brands like Maker’s Mark and Heaven Hill illustrated how specific end-user demands are being met through close farm-to-business collaboration.
The delegation posed tough questions about sustainability, demanding evidence that U.S. corn meets international standards better than global competitors.
Throughout the tour, farmers, university experts, and program leaders demonstrated how sustainability benchmarks are measured and met.
A key component of that assurance is the USGC’s Corn Sustainability Assurance Protocol (CSAP), presented in detail by Carlos Suarez, the Council’s Global Director of Sustainability.
The visit wrapped up at Double R Farms in Adairville, where young farmers Brandon and Lauren Robey showcased the future of sustainable U.S. agriculture. With strong on-farm investments and soil health initiatives, the couple embodied optimism and reliability for global grain markets.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-oticki
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, Corn