The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) participated in a sustainability event held at the Milan EXPO USA Pavilion in Italy on July 3.

The USA Pavilion showcases American Food 2.0: United to Feed the Planet and spotlights American leadership on issues such as food security and policy, technology, nutrition and health and culinary culture.

During the event, American Soybean Association (ASA) Director and USSEC Vice Chairman Jim Miller’s This is How We Grow presentation provided a practical example of a fourth generation farmer from Nebraska who has used sustainable farming practices on his farm for years.

Miller discussed how sustainable farming is a way of life for him and his peers because farmers care about the future. Crop rotation improves diversity and reduces inputs, while also meeting customer demands and improving profitability. By using biotechnology, Miller has managed to reduce the amount of crop protection agents used and by employing sustainable farming practices he has not tilled since 1996, which has resulted in fuel savings, increased organic matter of soil and decreased soil erosion.

More than 140 countries are participating in Milan EXPO 2015, and more than 20 million people are expected to visit before the World’s Fair concludes in October 2015. The USA Pavilion, which focuses on the United States as an innovator not only in the food sector, but also in many aspects of culture, science and business, has already registered more than one million visitors.