Heavy on Fashion Talks to Nate Blum - Chief Executive Officer of Sorghum United

Nate Blum - Chief Executive Officer of Sorghum United

Nate Blum serves as the Chief Executive Officer of BlüMilo and Sorghum United. Sorghum United is an international NGO serving to advance education and markets development for sorghum and adjacent small grains. Nate Blum is an esteemed figure in the world of Sorghum production and marketing, Blum's expertise in the field brings authenticity and depth to the narrative, providing readers with a unique insight into the world of Sorghum and its associated small grains in the comic book series, “Sorgho Squad.” Mr. Blum received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Nebraska. He also enjoys volunteering, mentoring, and organizing community events in his free time. 

Q: What initially sparked your interest in sorghum? How has your love for the crop evolved?

A: I grew up on the farm, and we grew sorghum in our rotation at that time. However, I didn’t know very much about it. As a young person, I was encouraged to find work off the farm due to the farm crisis of the 1980’s in the US. Thus, I eventually ended up becoming the agriculture policy and outreach director in the First Congressional District of Nebraska. During that time, my father passed away and I was tasked with managing our fourth-generation family farm. I discovered a desire at that time to become more directly involved in agriculture beyond just the federal policy issues. 

As luck would have it, the Executive Director of the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board was retiring at that time. I was given the opportunity to lead that organization, which I did for four years. As I learned more about the health and environmental benefits of sorghum, and recognized the shared challenges that our generation faces, I saw clearly that sorghum and millets can serve a vital role in solving these challenges. 

Q: Can you share a bit about your journey and how you came to lead Sorghum United?

A: Great question. While I was the Executive Director at the Nebraska Sorghum Board, I attended a European sorghum summit in Toulouse, France. At this conference, I heard peers discuss the challenges that they faced in the industry. Recognizing that these challenges were shared by our industry in the US, I brought together a few of the key players under the auspices of finding ways to work together. Growing the pie instead of fighting over the same small piece, so to speak. 

The first challenge we addressed was the fact that sorghum has a different name wherever one goes in the world. This is to be expected as it is an ancient heritage grain shared by various cultures all over the globe. We decided to address this, and in preparation for the International Year of Millets (IYM) at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO), by developing characters that represented the various aspects of the grain alongside it’s benefits. Thus, a poster series was created featuring the first appearance of the Sorgho Squad. The posters were on display the opening ceremony of the IYM at the UNFAO. 

I attended the opening ceremony and observed that there were no other delegates from the sorghum industry in North America and there were very few from Europe. Most of the delegates were from India and Africa. Thus, our group decided that it was incumbent upon us to lead the effort outside of those more represented regions. I came home from that event, resigned my position at Nebraska Sorghum, and began Sorghum United full time as an NGO, bootstrapping the effort as one would a startup organization. In the time since January 2023, we’ve grown from a few hundred stakeholders to over three thousand located on every habitable continent. We’ve done dozens of media interviews all over the world, including a live BBC interview from Rome. I’ve spoken at numerous universities around the world and have signed memorandums of understanding with nearly twenty academic, private sector, governmental, think tanks, and philanthropic organizations. Readers can learn more about our organization at: sorghumunited.com.

Q: What do you believe is the untapped potential of sorghum as a crop and food ingredient? How does Sorghum United plan to capitalize on this potential?

A: The health and environmental benefits of sorghum and millets in cropping systems and regional food systems is well documented. There are now hundreds of peer-reviewed papers internationally that show that these grains help to rebalance the human gut microbiome, possess anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic, and positive benefits for cardiac health. The vitamin, nutrient, and fiber content I also much in favor of sorghum and millets. Sorghum and millets are also Non-GMO and naturally gluten free, making them a valuable tool for those suffering from gluten intolerance. 

On the environmental side, we know that these grains are highly drought resistant, use a fraction of the water of comparable grains, improve soil health, and are great habitats for pollinators, birds, and small mammals. Further research has shown that sorghum is a key tool in carbon sequestration, and that research is being further funded as we speak by the federal government to quantify just how much carbon is sequestered by these amazing crops. In short these grains thrive in environments challenging to other grains, and can help speed up our efforts globally to recapture carbon from the atmosphere. 

Q: What are the primary challenges facing the sorghum industry today, and how is Sorghum United addressing them?

A: The primary challenge for sorghum and millets is that of consumer awareness. These grains have largely been forgotten in the past two hundred years in what I call a post-colonial global hangover which has favored comparable familiar grains over these small coarse grains largely unknown to Europeans. Farmers will grow a crop on which a profit can be made. But, most markets for sorghum and millets globally are low value animal feed or ethanol production because consumers are largely unaware that these amazing grains exist. Sorghum United hopes to counter this through the Sorgho Squad series, as well as our many conferences and speaking engagements. 

Q: Sorghum is frequently promoted as a sustainable crop. Can you elaborate on the specific sustainability benefits of sorghum and how Sorghum United promotes these benefits?

A: Sorghum is a sustainable crop for all the reasons listed above. However, it is important to note the importance of other crops. At Sorghum United, we advocate that there is room on the plate for all grains. We like corn, wheat, rice, etc. However, our global food systems are out of balance in favor of only a few crops. This leads to monoculture cropping systems and less nutritious food choices. Replacing one monoculture cropping system with another is not the answer. We are advocating for a global rebalance in these systems which will allow of regional economic opportunities, more secure supply chains, and healthier outcomes for humanity.  

Q: What role do partnerships play in Sorghum United's growth strategy? 

Are there any strategic partnerships you're particularly excited about?

A: We don’t get anything done alone. Sorghum United has nearly twenty-five official partnerships with esteemed organizations around the globe. I would certainly hate to pick a favorite, as each partnership is unique and possesses its own special value. We do have a couple of big partnerships in the work in India, that I can’t speak about just yet. That said, we are always looking to grow our global network and support likeminded organizations that empower people. 

Q: How is Sorghum United working to educate consumers about the nutritional value and versatility of sorghum? What are some of the misconceptions about sorghum you hope to dispel?

A: The greatest myth that we struggle to dispel is that sorghum and millets are a “poor man’s crop”. This is a result of European powers colonizing geographies in Africa and Asia. When they encountered these grains, they did not recognize their value. Thus, they marginalized them in this way in favor of other more familiar crops. 

Ironically, since India began promoting sorghum and millets in the face of drought which devastated the wheat sector, these “poor man’s grains” have now become so expensive that only the wealthy can afford them. This is a problem as well. We want these grains to be available to every citizen on the planet. But it is a temporary outcome of growth in the industry on the subcontinent. 

Our job at Sorghum United is to continue to provide resources to farmers, connect the industry globally for the exchange of research and ideas that can transcend geopolitical realities and geographies, and promote market development through consumer awareness and regional food systems development. 

Q: What inspired you to create the Sorgho Squad and their unique world?

A: I love comic books. I think that the medium is a great American art form, and an easily accessible avenue to reach readers of all ages. In particular, I am a huge Spider-Man fan. I even have a full collection of the Amazing Spider-Man from 1962 to present, and I’m working on completing the smaller ancillary series. 

Moreover, I love history and archeology. Putting these characters in an adventure-style series that showcases not only the grains, but their historical importance through the featuring of ancient human settlements was a natural fit. I often describe them as “India Jones meets Captain Planet”. They are educational, of course, but they are also fun and entertaining. 

Q: How did you develop the characters of the Sorgho Squad? Are there any real-life inspirations behind them?

A: The Sorgho Squad character names; Jowar is the common nomenclature in India. He represents the industrial applications for sorghum. Mashilla is the common nomenclature in Ethiopia. She represents the human and animal health benefits of the grain. And, Milo is the common name of sorghum in North America. He represents the environmental benefits of sorghum. Professor Sorgho represents the European term for sorghum. He and Alice Atlas are our guides through the Sorgho Squad journey. 

The first three books in the series are published and available at sorghosquad.com. The next three are written, but we are not published to date. I can share that in the fourth book, the Squad gets a 

super-cool base in the form of a space station. The fifth and sixth books introduce additional millets characters. 

As mentioned, the characters were actually developed very intentionally in regard to their names and “powers”. However, the character personalities are another matter. As I wrote these books I found the character voices come through naturally. Alice Atlas serves as the ‘everyman’ character that young people can relate to. She is intelligent and decisive. Professor Sorgho is a bit clumsy and often makes ‘dad jokes’, but is an expert on all things history and sorghum. Jowar is a bit of a straightforward character. He has a bit of a sense of humor, but he is often quite literal in his thinking. Mashilla is the heart of the team. She is often annoyed by the constant bad jokes, but is always there to encourage her team. Milo is a bit of a trickster. He breaks the fourth wall on occasion (at the expense of the author) and has that impetuousness common to youth. 

Q: Can you describe the world-building process for the Sorgho Squad series? 

What challenges did you face?

A: I’d like to tell you that there were challenges in the world-building process, but the truth is I found it to be quite easy. I primarily read historical non-fiction (when not reading comic books), so a lot of the background locations simply came from places that I have read about over the years. The challenges that the team face give these locations and adventures context. These too I knew well from my time working in the policy and agricultural sectors, as well as from my global travels.  It is often said that it is best to write about what you know, and this is certainly one of those cases. 

Q: What is your writing process like for the Sorgho Squad books? 

Do you outline, or do you prefer to let the story unfold organically?

A: These stories absolutely unfold organically. I begin with an outcome in mind, but I let the characters come to it naturally. It is a bit like having a conversation with several people in my head at the same time! I imagine how their personalities will respond to each other on each page in the dialogue as well as the situation and scene. Sometimes I am surprised actually at how these interactions manifest, and sometimes have to change my expectations for the outcomes I had imagined. It really is a lot of fun. 

As far as the illustrations go, I make a note at every page break of what I imagine that the reader will see in the scene. Mr. Jordan Scribner, who does the remarkable artwork, is able to take those suggestions and make them come to life. We are blessed to have a fantastic communication and working relationship. His talent is what makes the Sorgho Squad come to life. 

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of writing the Sorgho Squad series?

A: I love hearing from young readers. It makes me smile every time I hear comments about how much they love the series, and their impatience in awaiting the next installments. In fact, the first book signing that Jordan and I did was for youth living at our local homeless shelter as a ‘back-to-school’ gift in 2023. Seeing the looks on their smiling faces to receive signed copies of their own, before their classmates, made my heart happy. 

Q: Do you believe children's literature has a role in addressing important social issues? How do you incorporate these issues into the Sorgho Squad series?

A: Absolutely I do. Every adult on the planet was once a child, and those lessons learned as a young person often carry into how we approach the rest of our lives. The Sorgho Squad doesn’t shy away from using big words here and there, a challenge to the reader to pick up an encyclopedia from time to time. We also don’t shy away from addressing real world issues. We do so in a way that is easily digestible and nonthreatening, always with a solution offered to the problem explained. Young people are smart. I think if we want real intergenerational and long-lasting change we must do so in ways that shy away from demonizing one industry over another while also addressing real-world causes of systemic brokenness.  

Q: If the Sorgho Squad characters were real, who would you want to hang out with the most? Why?

A: Ha! Well, Professor Sorgho is basically me. Not that I don’t like talking to myself…. But I think I would choose Milo. I like his impishness, intelligence, and ability to connect with the reader directly. 

Q: Are there any plans for future Sorgho Squad books or spin-offs?

A: Oh, yes. Indeed. As I said, the next three books are written, and should be available over the course of the next year based upon Jordan’s busy schedule. We are also actively planning for merchandise directly available on the sorghosquad.com website and considering what a mobile app might look like. This is a fun property to work on, and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon. 

Q: What themes or messages do you hope readers will take away from the Sorgho Squad series?

A: I really hope that readers take away the message that our history, as a human species, is a shared one. As is our future. Different cultures offer different solutions which ought to be respected and considered holistically in complex food and environmental systems. I also hope that they come to understand that farmers are doing the best they can in most cases for environmental sustainability on their farms. But, we must recognize that economic sustainability is a key part to lasting change in those systems. Finally, I hope readers, and their families, develop a desire to try these grains. It is only through grass-roots and organic demand that we can hope to correct and rebalance our unbalanced global food systems. 

I would like to thank Nate Blum of  Sorghum United for the interview. I learned so much about crop sustainability and the current farming environment. Please check out Sorghum United at https://sorghumunited.com/. Also pick up the Sorho Squad comic book series at https://sorghosquad.com/!