By Scout Nelson
The 2025 U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) Impact Forum in Washington D.C. brought global attention to Nebraska’s agricultural contributions. Nate Blum, CEO of Sorghum United Foundation, represented Nebraska’s sorghum growers at the event, focusing on international food security and market dynamics.
Blum emphasized the concept of “soft power”—using diplomacy, food aid, and development support as tools to positively influence global regions without military force. He explained that such efforts build lasting partnerships and align with American values, strengthening U.S. presence abroad.
Nebraska ranks fifth in U.S. sorghum production, but its farmers face market control challenges, with China purchasing 93% of U.S. sorghum. This concentration means China often dictates prices, leaving producers with limited leverage. Blum highlighted that while U.S. foreign aid programs like USAID have supported sorghum exports to food-insecure regions, past political actions, including program cuts, have limited their reach.
He acknowledged that some USAID programs were ineffective, but noted that rebuilding these systems must happen quickly to prevent geopolitical rivals like China and Russia from stepping into the void. Blum shared a recent example from Kenya, where a refugee camp from South Sudan urgently needed grain after U.S. aid was reduced.
Despite past setbacks, Blum remains hopeful. “No damage is irreparable,” he said, stressing the importance of learning from the past and reviving programs that make a real difference globally.
As Blum returns to Nebraska, he carries a message of urgency, cooperation, and global engagement—highlighting how local crops like sorghum can play a vital role in U.S. diplomacy and world food security.
Photo Credit: istock-mailson-pignata
Categories: Minnesota, Business, Crops, Sorghum