Deb Keller is paying close attention to NAFTA renegotiations
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
Deb Keller, a farmer from Clarion, Iowa, made history during the 57th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting when her colleagues elected her as the first female chair of the U.S. Grains Council.
Now that she’s had some time to settle into her new role, Keller took some time to speak with Farms.com about the topics she’ll be focusing on in the coming months.
Farms.com (Farms): As chair, what do your responsibilities include?
Deb Keller (DK): I will be presiding over all of our meetings. We’re a grassroots organization so I will work very hard to direct the board according to the directions of our delegates.
Farms: Your election made you the first woman to chair the council in its near 60-year existence. Does that add anything to the position?
DK: Absolutely. I’ve been wanting this position for the last 10 years because I realized how important trade and this position was. I felt compelled to (take on the role) and give back to my industry. I’m very excited that my peers helped put me in this position.
Farms: It’s been approximately two weeks since your election. Have you identified any specific topics you’d like to focus on?
DK: Our biggest goal right now is to reassure our customers that we’re a reliable supplier, that we want their business and that we’re open for business. And, with the renegotiations of NAFTA, it’s important for the council to put out information, even for the general population, to understand how important NAFTA is for agriculture.
We’re also looking at exploring new market areas.
Farms: You mentioned NAFTA’s renegotiation. What are the Council’s hopes in terms of an outcome?
DK: It’s a 23-year old agreement so it’s fine that it’s going to be renegotiated. But we need to make sure the message of “do no harm” is out there. We support the updates but we also know we need to defend our current market access that’s crucial to America’s farmers. We also need to avoid any trade retaliation against our sector.
Farms: During your introductory remarks as chair, you called the organization’s theme going forward “Friends and Frontiers.” What does that mean?
DK: By friends, we need to reassure our old trading partners that we do value their business. When (the U.S.) pulled out of TPP, Japan asked why we did that and they’re near the top of the list, in terms of importing U.S. corn. Customer relationships are very important to our business.
And by frontiers, we mean looking at new markets like India and ethanol. We’re also looking at Mexico in terms of ethanol possibilities.
Farms: Are you still an active farmer? How’s the growing season been on your farm?
DK: Absolutely. My husband (who she met in a corn field), my daughter, her husband and my brother-in-law all farm corn together. The top was taken out of our yield due to drought but we are getting rain. There’s going to be lots of corn stored in elevators and in farmers’ personal storage, so the Grains Council’s job is more important than ever before.
Farms: When you’re not on the farm or meeting in the boardroom, what do you like to do?
DK: I’m a grandmother for the first time so my favourite thing is my grandson. What’s amazing to me is how much he already takes to the farm. He loves to be outside and ride on the equipment. When a tractor drives by, his face lights up. I can already see that next generation of farmer (for our family) and nothing makes me happier.
Top photo: Deb Keller/U.S. Grains Council