GEAPS Foundation Announces 2026 Grant Awards to GEAPS for Professional Development Courses
Grants Support Modernization of Two Core eLearning Courses within the Credential in Grain Operations Management (CGOM) Program
The GEAPS Foundation has awarded grants totaling $148,000 to the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) to support the modernization and replacement of two eLearning courses within its grain handling and processing industry operation education portfolio:
- Quality Management Systems for Bulk Materials Handling Operations; and
- Grain Elevator Equipment and Facility Maintenance.
With these 2026 awards, the GEAPS Foundation has now awarded a cumulative total of $320,102 in grants to support professional development and workforce training initiatives aligned with GEAPS’ education mission.
The Quality Management Systems for Bulk Materials Handling Operations project will transition and expand content developed under a 2024 GEAPS Foundation grant to Iowa State University into a new interactive eLearning module. This work represents a next phase of development, building on prior academic research and instructional design to deliver applied, industry-ready training as part of GEAPS’ professional education portfolio.
The Grain Elevator Equipment and Facility Maintenance project supports a full redevelopment of an existing course to align with GEAPS’ broader modernization roadmap and credential structure. The updated course will reflect current equipment, operational practices, and workforce expectations across grain handling facilities.
Both courses are part of GEAPS’ Credential in Grain Operations Management (CGOM) program and are designed to provide practical, accessible training that supports workforce development, operational excellence, and long-term career pathways in the grain industry.
GEAPS Chief Executive Officer John Caupert, along with Jim Lenz, Director of Global Education and Training, will oversee the projects, working with subject matter experts from industry, academia, and related fields to ensure the content reflects real-world application and evolving industry needs.
“The grain and grain processing industries are experiencing a transformational shift with veteran employees retiring faster than can be replaced,” said Caupert. “In turn, more early-career professionals are stepping into leadership and technical roles sooner than ever before. By modernizing these foundational courses, GEAPS is equipping our members and the next generation of the workforce with practical, accessible training to grow into these roles confidently, safely and effectively.”
The 2026 awards underscore the GEAPS Foundation’s commitment to strategic, sustained investment in professional development and mark the second consecutive year of grant awards by the Foundation. The grants are funded through a permanent endowment established to provide perpetual support for GEAPS’ education and workforce development priorities, ensuring long-term impact beyond any single grant cycle.
“These grants reflect the thoughtful, long-term approach the Foundation is taking to workforce development,” said Darren Zink, Chairman of the GEAPS Foundation. “The endowment structure allows us to invest in education in a sustainable way—supporting GEAPS’ mission and vision while ensuring that today’s investments continue to benefit the industry well into the future.”
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Source: Press Release GEAPS Foundation
About the GEAPS Foundation
The GEAPS Foundation was established to ensure long-term, sustainable support for education and training in the grain and oilseed supply chain. Built on GEAPS’ legacy of innovation in workforce development, the Foundation manages an endowment of $4 million to fund the creation of cutting-edge, industry-relevant training resources. Guided by its Governing Board, the Foundation partners with academic institutions, industry experts, and other grant-making organizations to expand professional development opportunities and strengthen public-private training efforts across the grain industry.
The GEAPS Foundation was made possible by generous founding contributions from the Grain Elevator & Processing Society (GEAPS), CHS, Ag Growth International (AGI), Seedburo Equipment Company, Grain Journal, Younglove Construction, 4B Components Limited, The Andersons, Brock, Cargill, Landus Cooperative, Parrish & Heimbecker, PMI Nebraska, T.E. Ibberson Company, Schlagel, Todd & Sargent, and GEAPS Associates.
For more information, visit geapsfoundation.org
About GEAPS
Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) is an international association of grain and grain processing professionals. GEAPS provides its members opportunities for networking, training and education, and access to a global marketplace of industry suppliers. The collaborative effort between GEAPS and its multimedia company GEAPS Media Group (GMG) expands reach in the industry and adds resources for members. GEAPS’ global network includes more than 4,200 individual members from approximately 1,200 companies. Join our network today!
