Lynn Clarkson, Clarkson Grain

Lynn Clarkson founded Clarkson Grain Co., Inc. in 1974 and continues to serve as its president. Clarkson Grain supplies selected conventional, non-GMO and organic grains, oilseeds and associated intermediate products (starch, oil, flour, lecithin) to processors of foods and feeds in Asia, North America and Europe. It contracts with farmers across the United States and in Canada and Argentina to produce chosen varieties in specific ways. It chooses grains and production systems to deliver specific process and product characteristics that give clients competitive advantages and favorable market access.

Clarkson Grain operates several grain elevators, an interior barge station on the Illinois River and rail sidings in 15 states. Licensed as a grain dealer and warehouse, Clarkson Grain relies on farm storage backed by dedicated commercial storage to segregate crops and maintain quality. It uses its own and contract facilities to assemble and prepare materials. In serving Asian and European clients, the company operates some of the most detailed non-GMO protocols in use today. It received organic certification for its grain facilities in Beardstown, Illinois in 1991. Today, only one of its facilities remains conventional. The others all operate under organic certification.

Born on a farm in central Illinois, Mr. Clarkson spent time with the US Navy before forming Clarkson Grain. He holds a JD from the University of Wisconsin, a Masters in Political Science from Tulane University and a Bachelors from Knox College. He has served on various committees advising the College of Agriculture at the University of Illinois and GIPSA within the USDA and works closely with researchers at several other universities and research facilities. He serves as a director of the Organic Trade Association.

Relevant Publications

Clarkson, Lynn. Selecting Soybeans for Food Applications. In Soy Applications in Food, Chapter 13, Pp 249 – 266. edited by Mian N. Riaz, 2006, Boca Raton, CRC Press

Web Site: www.clarksongrain.com