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PBPC Newsletter March 29, 2024

Welcome to the Plant Based Products Council Newsletter! If you have friends or colleagues interested in our industry, please let them know to sign up for our newsletter. Then, read on for the latest in PBPC news and activities, as well as some of the amazing innovations, trends, and developments happening right now in the sustainability and bioeconomy world!

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NEW PBPC 2024: CIRCULAR SOLUTIONS

We look forward to seeing participants at PBPC’s second annual conference, PBPC 2024: Circular Solutions, held in Omaha, Nebraska from April 8-10, 2024. Our list of esteemed speakers continues to grow, with exciting new additions joining our lineup:

Florencia Goren, Brendan Ihde, Gustavo Lombardi, Greg Wilson join PBPC 2024 speaker lineup
Gregory Jaffe, Nicole Bateman, K.D. Belitz join the PBPC 2024 speaker lineup

A special thank you to our PBPC 2024: Circular Solutions sponsors:

PBPC 2024 sponsors include BioLogiq, Bio Nebraska, BioPreferred, Cargill, Corn Refiners Association, Eco-Products, Green Plains, Iowa Corn, NatureWorks, Nebraska Corn Board, Primient and Repurpose

PBPC 2024: Circular Solutions will bring members, industry leaders, growers, policymakers, and other stakeholders together in the heart of America’s bioeconomy to discuss today’s bioproducts landscape and what lies ahead for the industry. Register here to secure your spot!

For a recap of the 2023 PBPC Conference, PBPC 2023: Circular Solutions, visit our website.

PBPC WELCOMES SPENCER CHASE AS SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS 

Spencer Chase is the Senior Director of Communications for the Plant Based Products Council

PBPC is pleased to announce the hiring of Spencer Chase as its new Senior Director of Communications. Chase will lead PBPC’s external communications and media relations efforts, elevating the organization’s profile through strategic and coordinated efforts that highlight the knowledge and advocacy of PBPC staff experts. Bringing extensive expertise in the media field, Chase joins PBPC from Agri-Pulse where he worked as an agricultural journalist for nearly a decade.

“We’re excited to welcome Spencer to the PBPC team and put his talents to work to grow the advanced bioproducts industry,” said PBPC Executive Director James Glueck. “Spencer’s efforts will be critical in driving awareness of our industry and the work of PBPC, including events like our upcoming conference.”

2024 FEEDING THE ECONOMY

Last week, 32 agriculture and food groups, including PBPC, released the eighth annual Feeding the Economy Report. The findings outline the economic benefits of the U.S. food and agriculture industries, revealing a remarkable 11.8% growth in the economic impact of food and agriculture-related sectors over the past year.

The historic farm-to-fork analysis also unveils the jobs impact of the industries, with the food and ag sectors supporting over 48 million total jobs. A recent op-ed by John Bode, President and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association, explores the booming agricultural job market, using the Feeding the Economy report as evidence for the wealth of promising opportunities throughout the resilient industry.

Read the full report here: https://feedingtheeconomy.com/

RADICLE GROWTH CHALLENGE

In partnership with the U.S. Corn Farmers, Radicle Growth recently announced the Radicle Growth Corn Value Chain Challenge. This challenge will invest a minimum of $1.5 million in start-up and growth companies that are increasing the demand for corn-based products in the U.S. through their innovative technologies and comprehensive business models. This challenge aims to invest in companies developing new uses of corn that result in the decreased reliance on nonrenewable materials. Read more about the challenge and submit your application before the April 12th deadline.

radicle growth challenge explanation

AGRI-PULSE SUMMIT

This month, PBPC’s James Glueck participated in the Agri-Pulse Communications Ag & Food Summit. This event convened leaders and experts from across the industry to discuss a variety of topics impacting the ag and food fields, from local distribution and production to international environmental food markets. James shared insights into the latest developments impacting the food and agriculture industries on the panel “Biomanufacturing Was Supposed to be a Boom for Rural America. Where is it Working and Why?” The discussion explored rural opportunities, community development, and economic prospects within the manufacturing industry.

PBPC Executive Director James Glueck speaks about biomanufacturing at Ag & Food Summit
PBPC Executive Director James Glueck speaks on the Biomanufacturing Was Supposed to be a Boom for Rural America. Where is it Working and Why? panel at Ag & Food Summit

REPRESENTATIVE DAVIDS COSPONSORS THE BIOMANUFACTURING AND JOBS ACT

Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03)

Thank you to Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03), the most recent cosponsor of the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act (H.R. 5134). Representative Davids’ support for this bill will help expand opportunity throughout the food and agriculture industries and fortify U.S. competitiveness in the sustainability market.

WORLD WILDLIFE FUND PLASTICS POLICY SUMMIT 

PBPC’s James Glueck and Jamaica Gayle attended the World Wildlife Fund Plastics Policy Summit, held on Wednesday March 20th and Thursday, March 21st, which convened stakeholders across the plastics value chain to explore new initiatives that will tackle issues of plastic pollution in the U.S. The summit provided a space to share information and create advocacy plans to enact policy efforts at every level of government.

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Women have played integral roles in advancing innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility in the agriculture and biomanufacturing industries. The USDA Women in Agriculture Mentoring Network works to promote the image, role, and leadership of women in the food and ag communities. From conferences to newsletter to engagement events, the USDA Women in Agriculture Mentoring Network fosters community and opportunity for the thousands of women leading across the food and agriculture industries.

TELL LAWMAKERS: SUPPORT JOB GROWTH IN THE FARM BILL & SUPPORT AG-BASED BIOMANUFACTURING

Help PBPC send a message to lawmakers that the United States has the farmers and innovators and now we need the policies. Support for the ag-based bioproducts industry is crucial to the U.S. economy, environmental sustainability, and American innovation.

Two bipartisan bills that can help grow the U.S. ag bioeconomy have already been introduced in Congress:

Send a letter to your lawmakers today and urge them to include the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act and the Ag BIO Act in the Farm Bill!

Send a Letter Now

PBPC’S MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

Interested in becoming a PBPC member? All PBPC members receive a variety of benefits that provide their organization a voice in Washington, while helping them stay up to date on the latest policy developments, communicate with their audiences, access valuable insights, and more. Read about PBPC’s impact in the industry in the 2022 Annual Report. Tiered membership levels are available to fit the needs of any member of the plant-based products supply chain. Visit our website or reach out to PBPC’s Keniece Barbee to learn more.

PLANT-BASED INNOVATIONS

Almost every day we see new developments in the plant-based products space. Here are a few of our favorites that provide insights on the industry today and what’s ahead for circular innovations.

SUSTAINABILITY TRENDS & NEWS

As more consumers seek environmentally friendly products, corporations are adapting to meet these demands by offering more sustainable solutions. Here are some of the top stories covering these trends and providing insights on the latest industry news.

GOVERNMENT UPDATES

With environmental reform being a top priority for the Biden Administration, there are constantly new developments in the regulatory space. Here are a few of the top happenings in the Administration, on Capitol Hill, and in the U.S. legal landscape.

PBPC MEMBER NEWS

The dedicated work of our members toward a more sustainable future never ceases to amaze us. From setting sweeping environmental commitments, to partnering with others to make sustainable solutions more accessible, to launching new plant-based materials. Below, find some of the impressive work of our members over the last weeks.

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