I recently had the pleasure of photographing the 66th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting for the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council at the historic downtown Hilton in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Before the meeting got underway, I had a couple of hours to explore the city, and Milwaukee turned out to be a fascinating place to visit.
Known as the “Cream City” and famous for its brewing heritage, Milwaukee sits along the western shore of Lake Michigan and at the confluence of three rivers. It is also the setting for the classic television show “Happy Days.” Fans of the show can even visit the Bronze Fonz statue along the Milwaukee RiverWalk, celebrating Henry Winkler’s iconic character. One of the city’s most impressive landmarks is Milwaukee City Hall, a spectacular Flemish Renaissance-style building completed in 1895. Its tower rises nearly 400 feet, making it one of the most recognizable features of the downtown skyline. After my quick tour, it was time to get to work.
Day 1 began with a warm welcome from Anastasia Poull, the 79th Alice in Dairyland, followed by remarks from Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Secretary Randy Romanski. The morning continued with a keynote presentation from Mike McCoshen, Administrator of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway. USGBC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand also addressed the delegates and led an engaging panel discussion with Ambassador Julie Callahan and Under Secretary Luke Lindberg.
The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council plays an important role in developing international markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum, ethanol, and other related products. Its work helps connect American agriculture with customers around the world while promoting trade and creating opportunities for U.S. producers.
After lunch, the delegates broke into various Advisory Team Meetings, where members discussed their respective areas of interest and helped shape the Council’s priorities for the year ahead. It was a busy and productive first day—and a great opportunity to document the people and conversations behind an organization doing important work around the globe.
* Nikon Z9 (x2), Nikkor Z 24-70 f2.8 II, Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8 II, Viltrox 14mm f4, DJI Mini 3 Pro *
