It’s been a while since we’ve caught up on the work happening at the Collaborative Sorghum Marketing Transformation Program. If you haven’t heard of cSmart, or just need a refresher, head over to csmartsorghum.com for the full rundown on this initiative that’s reshaping opportunities in the sorghum industry. 

A couple of years ago, I took a big step by launching my own consulting business, Serō Ag Strategies. You can learn more at seroag.com. But in short, Serō was born out of my years working with the National Sorghum Producers and the Sorghum Checkoff.

While I still contribute to these phenomenal organizations as a consultant, Serō has broadened its client base to work with a variety of organizations both within and outside sorghum. One key client, cSmart, has grown in its own right and has recently made impressive strides in raising capital and driving new projects that support sorghum producers. 

Nonprofit aims to bring in business

At its core, cSmart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to bring investment into the sorghum industry, creating value for sorghum farmers by aligning capital with high-potential projects. Over the last year, cSmart has raised more than half a million dollars for innovative startup companies across the Sorghum Belt. The capital has come from a diverse network of sorghum farmers, established companies and institutional investors, all committed to driving sustainable growth within the sorghum industry. 

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One of the latest projects supported by cSmart is a container-loading business. This project provides a critical service, helping sorghum producers connect with global markets through containerized exports, a strategy offering incredible flexibility and access to specialized market segments.

By shipping in containers, the company opens up options for smaller niche shipments that serve specific global demands, whether they’re for food aid programs in Africa, specialty beverages in Asia or boutique markets looking for identity-preserved grains. Containers allow for tailored shipment sizes to meet customer needs, whether it’s one container or an entire shipload. 

Niche shipments for sorghum

Why does this matter for sorghum demand? First, containerized shipping enables sorghum producers to access markets that previously required large-scale infrastructure. Smaller, focused export batches make sorghum more appealing to a range of international customers who want unique quantities or special varieties.

This format not only broadens the reach of U.S. sorghum but also increases demand for the crop, allowing producers to connect directly with customers who value its versatility and sustainability. 

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And there’s more on the horizon. The container-loading project is just the start of what we hope will be many initiatives backed by cSmart to expand sorghum’s reach and value. The goal is to continue driving more projects that align with sorghum’s strengths and the needs of international markets.

We want to bring in outside resources — capital, expertise and partnerships — that can fuel further growth, be it through startups, infrastructure or value-added products. 

We’re setting the stage for cSmart to be a bridge between sorghum farmers and investors who see the long-term value in sustainable agriculture. By creating opportunities that capture outside interest and investment, we’re not just talking about sorghum’s potential, but also making it a reality.

As we look forward, cSmart will continue pushing projects that bolster demand and create value for sorghum farmers. Together, we’re laying groundwork for an industry that’s more resilient, more diversified and more profitable for everyone involved.