Grain Inspection Advisory Committee Summary of Meeting

August 30- 31, 2023

National Grain Center- Kansas City, Missouri

Onsite and Hybrid Option

Committee Member Present:

Barbara Grove, Chair

Dr. Charles Hurburgh

Charles Bird

Philip Garcia

Christopher Frederking

Robert Sinner

Janice Cooper

John Morgan

Shayleen Rambur

Nicholas Friant

Kia Adams-Mikesh

Jimmy Williams

Mark Heil

Curtis Engel

Dr. Kurt Rosentrater (participated on Zoom Wednesday Only)

Federal Grain Inspection Service Presenters 

Arthur Neal, Deputy Administrator

Denise Ruggles, Executive Program Analyst

Karla Whalen, Director - Quality Assurance & Compliance Division

Charles Parr, Acting Director – Field Management Division

Dr. Ed Jhee, Director - Technology & Science Division

Byron Reilly, Director- International Affairs Division
Wednesday Summary

Barbara Grove, Chair, brought the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. central and conducted a roll call 

of the Committee. 

FGIS Program Updates

Arthur Neal, Deputy Administrator, presented Information regarding the congressional report on 

geographic boundaries, soybean of other colors final rule, exceptions to geographic, Food and Drug 

Administration memorandum of understanding, user fee cap, grading technology, and staffing.

Karla Whalen, Director, gave a presentation on updates on the Quality Assurance and 

Compliance division about audits, quality programs, regulatory questions, and investigations.

Charles Parr, acting Director, shared Field Management Division updates on staffing, policy 

reorganization, export levels, fecal matter policy, and soybeans of other colors.

Byron Reilly, Director, provided updates on international trade issues, international outreach, and 

foreign complaints. 

Edward Jhee, Director, presented updates on inspection alignment, technology, expanded testing 

services, and process improvements.

Denise Ruggles, Executive Program Analyst, provided a detailed financial overview that 

included a historic and current perspective of the Program’s budget. 

Copies of the presentations can be found on the public website.

Industry Issues Discussion

The industry took up four issues for discussion:

Data Standardization Evaluation

Lab Scales

FGIS User Fees and Budget

Review of the FGIS Fumigation Handbook

No public comments were submitted.

Discussion documents can be found on the public website. 

Thursday Summary

Barbara Grove, Chair, brought the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. central and dived right into the 

recommendation discussions. The public submitted 4 recommendations, one for each discussion 

topic. No public comment was made on the discussion of the proposed 
recommendations. The Committee held a vote for new officers and the following were elected 

(unopposed) :

Barbara Grove-Chair

Chris Frederking-Vice-Chair

Kia Adams-Mikesh-Secretary 

Several topics were mentioned to discuss at the next meeting:

• Operations Handbook include hybrid attendance protocol

• Orientation for New Members

• Committee Quorum

• Nomination Process and Committee membership

• Safety and Safe Work Practices

• Stowage Camera Proposals

• Data Standards

• Lab Scales

• Consistency with FGIS handbooks (Equipment) and NIST rules

• Creating a Technology Subcommittee

• User Fees

The meeting was adjourned at 10:44 a.m. central.

Meeting recommendations, presentations, and transcripts can be found here. 

I hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the foregoing minutes are accurate and 

complete.

Barbara Grove

Committee Chair