Sorghum United Foundation Nate Blum

Nate Blum is the Chief Executive Officer of BlüMilo and the Sorghum United Foundation, where he champions sustainable agriculture and economic development through climate-smart crops like sorghum and millet. His work centers on advancing education, expanding markets, and creating economic opportunities that help communities thrive in high-value agricultural sectors. His passion is rooted in improving food security, nutrition, environmental sustainability, and addressing rural economic disparities—challenges that sorghum and millet can help solve.

Blum brings extensive expertise in agricultural production and marketing, with a focus on value-added processing of sorghum-based products. His global career has taken him to more than 40 countries, representing the sorghum and millet industries at major forums such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). He also plays an active role in conversations around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and notably hosted the Independent Food Systems Summit in August 2021, fostering dialogue around sustainable food systems.

From 2019 to 2023, Blum served as Executive Director of both the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board and the Nebraska Sorghum Producers Association, where he drove policies and initiatives that shaped the region’s grain sorghum industry. He currently contributes his expertise on national and global levels through his role on the USDA Grains, Feed, and Oilseeds Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee (ATAC) and the Private Sector Mechanism (PSM), offering guidance to the United Nations Committee on Food Security (CFS).

Blum is also a recognized thought leader and frequent speaker at international conferences on sustainability and food technology. His work and insights have been featured in media outlets including BBC, MSN, The Hindustan Times, The Startup LA Podcast, and Kilimo News. In addition to his speaking engagements, he mentors university students pursuing leadership roles in food and agriculture.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Nebraska in 2019, a foundation that supports his empathetic and strategic approach to leadership. He is an alumnus of the Nebraska LEAD Program (Class XXXVI) and has served as Vice President of its alumni association.