A panel at the upcoming Iowa Farm Bureau Economic Summit will examine what it takes for Iowa farmers and agribusinesses to connect with global buyers to export their own commodities directly.

The session, titled “Taking Exports Into Your Own Hands: Is It Possible — and Profitable?,” will feature two agribusinesses who have successfully built export-focused ventures and navigated the challenges of selling products around the world.

Panelists Steven Nichol of Midwest Premier Foods and Bob Sinner of North Dakota’s SB&B Foods will share real-world experiences, discuss barriers to entering foreign markets and outline opportunities available to farmers interested in expanding their reach. 

“If you are a farmer who has ever thought about exporting your own products but don’t know where to start, this panel is for you,” said Christopher Pudenz, Iowa Farm Bureau economics and research manager. “Both of these men are a wealth of knowledge, and they’ll be there to answer questions and talk through how other farmers and small and medium-size businesses in rural Iowa can get into the export business.” 

Midwest Premier Foods is a full-line processing and trading company in central Iowa that works with customers to offer private label or branded items for both domestic and international customers. SB&B Foods, operated by Sinner and his sons, supplies food quality soybeans and other commodities directly to food manufacturers globally. The company was named North Dakota Exporter of the Year in 2007. 

Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2026 Economic Summit, “Trade Crossroads: Forces Shaping the Future of Ag,” will be held July 17 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

Registration is $50 for Farm Bureau members and $400 for non-Farm Bureau members. 

For a complete agenda and registration information, visit www.iowafarmbureau.com/news/economic-summit.