David Mock, University of Illinois

I am a sophomore at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, pursuing dual degrees in Agricultural and Consumer Economics (emphasis in Policy, International Trade, and Development) and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies. This semester, I am enrolled in ACE 222 Agricultural Marketing with Professor Paul Stoddard. The course and Grain and Feed Association industry tour have sparked my interest in a career in international grain marketing, allowing me to apply my interests in agriculture and Eastern European studies. 
 
I recently had the privilege of spending two days with Topflight Grain Cooperative Inc. in Monticello. Grain Originator and Crop Insurance Agent Kelley Lawhorn and CEO Derrick Bruhn provided invaluable insights into Topflight's efficient grain operations. With fifteen facilities and 3.159 million bushels of storage capacity at their Monticello location alone, I was impressed by the scale and efficiency of their grain movement and marketing programs for commodities, including corn, soybeans, wheat, and non-GMO beans. I am grateful to Mr. Lawhorn and Mr. Bruhn for taking the time to educate me on the workings of a thriving agricultural cooperative—experiences like this further my goal of one day working in international grain marketing and trade.
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