North American Millets Alliance (NAMA) is the name used by our ad hoc group working on plans for the International Year of Millets in North America. (This is our own initiative, and not with any connection to FAO, which is the UN agency responsible for the IYM, or with any governmental or parastatal entity within or outside North America.) NAMA as I see it is potentially an association of various people and potentially organizations in the region who are connected with millets as crops and/or food: * growers * processors & vendors * producers * importers * marketers * nutritionists * agronomists * researchers on any and all of the above * activists & advocates The term "alliance" is used in relation to grains often with a "value chain" connotation. NAMA does not have that focus, as I see it, being more interested in networking and public education. The closest of the "alliances" that I am aware of, at least in the range of audiences it address might be: * Common Grain Alliance https://www.commongrainalliance.org/ . which seeks to "connect grain farmers, regional millers, brewers, chefs, bakers, and consumers to build a Mid-Atlantic grain value chain that serves everyone." Similar groups include: * Northeast Grainshed Alliance https://northeastgrainshed.com/ - "a growing number of grain growers, processors, producers, organizations, institutions, researchers, & the public; all key components of a regional grain supply chain" * Maine Grain Alliance https://kneadingconference.com/ - "We create connections and share grain traditions and innovations from earth to table" * And perhaps others? Further info appreciated.... Other "alliances" that appear to function more as trade or growers' associations: * Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance https://soyagrainsalliance.org/ - "a national association of companies focused on production, processing and shipping of U.S. Identity Preserved field crops and their related products worldwide" (at least a couple of the companies listed have "millet" or "teff" in the products they deal in) * Kansas Wheat Alliance https://kswheatalliance.org/ - "a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 2007 with the goal of maximizing value for wheat farmers from new wheat varieties developed by Kansas State University and other wheat-breeding programs" All of the above is just for background. It may be that some folks, on hearing "Millets Alliance" might assume based on knowledge of organizations like the above, that NAMA is linking farmers and producers, and perhaps also consumers. That might be an interesting objective for this initiative at some point, or perhaps for one or more other organizations, but it is not the current aim of NAMA as I understand it. The immediate need addressed by NAMA, as I see it, is public education, linking various "stakeholders" and experts involved with millets, and perhaps some lobbying (e.g., for more precise labelling of millets included in products). Don Osborn. PhD East Lansing, MI, US * *