Delaney Howell, president of AgNews Daily, recently returned from a two-week I-LEAD leadership development trip to Vietnam and South Korea. Sponsored by the Iowa Corn Growers Association, the journey provided firsthand insight into two pivotal Asian markets—one emerging and one well-established—underscoring opportunities for U.S. corn producers.
Howell was selected as part of a 20-member cohort in the I-LEAD program. As the capstone experience for I-LEAD participants, Howell and her peers explored Vietnam and South Korea to compare and contrast their relationships with U.S. agriculture.
“Vietnam is an up‐and‐coming market with tremendous growth potential, while South Korea represents a long‐standing, established trade partner for Iowa corn growers,” Howell said.
The delegation conducted a series of agricultural tours, cultural site visits, and meetings with local producers and processors. By engaging directly with stakeholders on the ground, Howell gained a comprehensive perspective on each country’s farm systems, trade policies, and economic outlook.
Vietnam’s double‐digit GDP growth rates and appetite for U.S. corn imports were recurring themes during the trip. Delegates toured feed mills and protein processing facilities to understand how Midwestern corn integrates into Vietnam’s expanding livestock sector.
“Vietnamese producers and processors are eager to strengthen ties with U.S. suppliers, and they see American corn as a vital component of their food security and economic expansion,” Howell said.
In addition to agricultural activities, the group visited historical sites that contextualized Vietnam’s transition from wartime hardship to rapid economic development.
“Seeing how Vietnam has evolved over the past 50 years made it clear why U.S. agriculture should prioritize engagement there,” Howell said. “Their market is on the brink of becoming a global force.”
South Korea offered a contrasting but complementary narrative. On the ground, participants toured modern commercial farms and feed manufacturing facilities where U.S. imports already play a critical role.
“South Korea maintains a high‐tech agricultural infrastructure. Their partnership model with Iowa corn producers demonstrates the importance of innovation and supply‐chain resilience,” Howell said.
Howell stressed the importance of getting this in-person experience.
“Nothing replaces boots-on-the-ground reporting,” Howell remarked. “Learning about tariffs and trade dynamics in person—walking through processing plants and speaking directly with farmers—deepens the story behind the headlines.”
