Executive Summary sharing data on AGC's network of grain chain stakeholders
AGC’s 2026 Member Survey offers a snapshot of member activity and experiences from 2025, as well as a deeper look at the evolving Midwest grainshed.
AGC is the only entity collecting this type of cross-sector information across the Midwest grain value chain—from farmers and millers to bakers, distillers, researchers, and advocates—making the survey an important tool for understanding the opportunities, challenges, and emerging trends shaping regional grains. The survey reinforces AGC’s continued value as a network that spans the grain chain, rather than serving a single industry or stakeholder group.
One clear takeaway from the survey is that AGC’s strength lies in connection. Members continue to identify relationships, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing as the most valuable aspects of being a part of AGC, with 77% reporting that they expanded or deepened relationships within the grain value chain through AGC.
The survey points to continued potential for regional grains. Both producers and end-users report plans to maintain or increase their participation in regional grain markets, signaling sustained interest across the grain value chain. The data also highlights the complexities of building the regional grain value chain. Many members continue to face challenges accessing consistent, reliable, and profitable market opportunities, and increasingly express a desire for support that helps translate relationships with customers into stronger economic outcomes.
AGC’s membership continues to reflect the full breadth of the regional grain value chain, bringing together farmers, millers, bakers, brewers, distillers, food businesses, maltsters, researchers, support organizations, and advocates. Farmers (29%) and bakers (16%) continue to represent the largest segments of the network.
The overall composition of AGC’s membership has remained relatively stable across roles in the grain value chain, year over year, amidst a growing overall number of members. This reinforces AGC’s unique strength as a cross-sector network rather than a single-industry group.
Geographically, AGC members remain concentrated in the Upper Midwest, with the largest number of members based in Wisconsin (25%), Minnesota (22%), Illinois (21%), and Michigan (13%); alongside smaller concentrations of members in Ohio (7%), Indiana (5%), and Iowa (4%).
Members reported that participation in AGC leads to real relationship-building. Seventy-seven percent of members report that they have expanded their network through AGC, forming or strengthening an average of five new relationships per member.
Why do AGC members grow and purchase local and regional grains?
In a word, values are a key driver.
