For more than 25 years, IGP has established a worldwide reputation as a center of excellence for international programs related to grain marketing and flour and feed milling technology. Additionally, IGP has a rich tradition in training related to marketing, processing, purchasing and shipment of corn, grain sorghum, soybeans and wheat.

Today, because of IGP's 24 years of effort, you can find, in literally every corner of the world, IGP-trained buyers of grain.

International Grains Program Timeline:

1960s. Department of Grain Science and Industry professors, including Arlin Ward, traveled throughout the world providing technical training and educational courses to international business leaders.

1966. The Food and Feed Grains Institute was established at K-State to conduct research in grain storage, processing, marketing and agribusiness development.

1976. Discussions began between the Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas Wheat Commission, and the American Institute of Baking to establish a formalized program to support overseas market-development activities for wheat.

1977. Dr. Charles Deyoe, head of the Department of Grain Science and Industry, began to work with representatives from Great Plains Wheat and the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to further the idea of establishing a foreign-market-development program for wheat at K-State.

Feb. 17, 1978. Dr. Deyoe met with the Kansas corn, grain sorghum, soybean and wheat commissions to review a five-year funding proposal for the new training and market-development institute at K-State.

Spring 1978. The Kansas legislature formally approved $200,000 of general-use funds for the new K-State program. As a result, the International Grains Program became the first professional institute in the United States to provide technical training in support of market-development activities for U.S. grains and soybeans. Dr. Deyoe was chosen as the program’s director.

July 1978. IGP conducted its first short course. The course was on flour milling and was conducted in India by Arlin Ward and Eugene Farrell.

Aug. 25, 1978. The first advisory board meeting. At this meeting, the name, “International Grains Institute” was chosen; however, the name was changed a few weeks later to “International Grains Program” to avoid confusion with the Food and Feed Grains Institute.

April 9-19, 1979. IGP conducted its first overseas short course. 109 individuals, representing more than 70 companies, attended the feed manufacturing short course, in Korea.

June 24-July 7, 1979. IGP conducted its first short course on the K-State campus, a Latin American flour milling short course. The course, presented in English, was simultaneously translated into Spanish. A financial contribution from the Oklahoma Wheat Commission helped sponsor the course.

Sept. 8-20, 1980. The first U.S. Grain Marketing System Short Course was conducted. The course, conducted at K-State, was based on a proposal developed by Harvey Kiser. The course has been offered at least once a year since then.

1980-1981. IGP facilities were expanded. Renovations to Waters Hall provided a conference room, funded by the Kansas Wheat Commission, and a 27-seat classroom equipped with audio-visual equipment.

Dec. 15, 1983. The IGP Center built at K-State was formally dedicated.

March 1984. The position of IGP associate director was created. Nicolaas Konijnendijk was appointed and served as associate director for two years.

March 1986. Robert Pudden served as acting associate director for IGP from March 1986 to September 1986.

October 1986. Roger Johnson was appointed IGP’s second associate director. He served for more than a decade.

1988. IGP’s ten-year anniversary. IGP conducted five short courses: grain marketing; grain grading, storage and handling; flour milling; advanced flour milling; feed manufacturing. IGP also hosted 19 trade teams.

1994. IGP conducted 13 short courses, including nine specialized courses developed upon request. IGP also hosted 10 trade teams and other groups.

1998. IGP celebrated its twentieth anniversary. Plans are continued for the construction of a new grain science complex at K-State. IGP also conducted its first Price Analysis and Risk Management Short Course.
A five state (Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas) wheat advisory committee was established.

2002. Professor Emeritus Arlin B. Ward passed away in January. He served on the faculty from 1961 until 1984 and was instrumental in the conception and creation of IGP. A record 168 participants attended IGP short courses.

1997-2003. More than 900 grain company owners, managers and government officials from other nations participated in classes at the IGP.

2004. IGP dedicates its new building as part of the Grain Science and Industry Complex.

Issues targeted in the oncoming years include hard white wheat, food grade sorghums, valued enhanced corn varieties, and genetically modified organisms, especially soybeans.