International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM)

The International Association of Operative Millers is an international organization comprised of flour millers, cereal grain and seed processors and allied trades representatives and companies devoted to the advancement of technology in the flour milling, cereal grain and seed processing industries. It was founded in 1896, and is comprised of 15 districts.

IAOM is an individual-based member organization with a membership that represents some 90 countries worldwide. The association works solely to improve the profitability, efficiency and safety of grain mills, without tackling the more politically-volatile trade or regulatory issues. IAOM is a network of millers, who are able to share their professional insights on the technical and operational aspects of milling.

IAOM Districts

Central District - The states of Illinois (western border area), Iowa, Kansas (eastern border area), Missouri and Nebraska in the USA.
Eurasia District - Countries located in the Commonwealth of Independent States all countries in Europe.
Flour City District - The states of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin in the USA.
Golden West District - The states of Arizona, California, Nevada and New Mexico in the USA.
Intermountain District - The states of Utah and Idaho (except the northern portion) in the USA.
Latin America District - Mexico and the countries of Central and South America.
Mideast & Africa District - The countries of the Middle East region and all of the countries of Africa.
Niagara District - The states of Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont in the USA and the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec in Canada.
Ohio Valley District - The states of Illinois (except the western border area), Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio in the USA.
Pacific District - The states of Hawaii; Montana; Oregon; Washington and the northern portion of Idaho in the USA.
Southeastern District - The states of Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia in the USA.
Texoma District - The states of Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana in the USA.
Western Canadian District - The provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan and Yukon in Canada and the state of Alaska in the USA.
Wheat State District - The states of Kansas (except the northeastern border area), Colorado and Wyoming in the USA.
Wolverine District - The state of Michigan in the USA.

Important Dates in IAOM History

1895 – Benjamin W. Dedrick writes to the American Miller suggesting the formation of an operative millers' association.
1896 – The Fraternity of Operative Millers of America (FOMA) is established on January 20, with Benjamin W. Dedrick as president.
1896 – First annual meeting of the FOMA takes place in Chicago, and Dedrick is unanimously re-elected as president.
1904 – The insurance program for members is finalized, including coverage for sickness, accident, death & dismemberment.
1919 – After nearly 25 years of existence, the FOMA is reorganized as the Association of Operative Millers (AOM).
1945 – Annual conference canceled due to WWII concerns for group travel and mass meetings.
1946 – Golden Anniversary of the AOM is celebrated at 50th international conference in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
1947 – Arrangements made for AOM to take control of “Dunwoody Correspondence Course in Practical Milling.”
1952 – All Districts are instructed to assume a descriptive name to go with numerical identification.
1962 – First AOM “Gold Medal” awarded to Dr. John A. Shellenberger of Kansas State University.
1963 – Cereal Millers Handbook is copyrighted. 1970 Diamond Anniversary of the AOM is celebrated at 74th international conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
1973 – First AOM “Donald S. Eber Award” presented to Roy F. Kehr of Kressilk Products, Inc.
1975 – AOM Latin America District is founded; plans first meeting for 1976 Annual Conference.
1976 – First AOM “Geo. B. Wagner Memorial Award” presented to Prof. Donald A. Wilbur, Sr., of Kansas State University.
1984 – First AOM “Allied Trades Technology Award” presented to Jack Kice of Kice Metal Products Co.
1986 – First “Milling Operative of the Year” award presented to Jerry D. Kuhn of White Lily Foods Co. by Sosland Publishing Co.
1988 – AOM holds its first East Africa District conference
1992 – AOM headquarters office is relocated outside of Kansas City, Missouri, to the suburb of Leawood, Kansas.
1994 – Districts discontinue using numerical identification, and the Gateway District is merged with the Central and Ohio Valley Districts.
1996 – 100th Anniversary of the AOM is celebrated at its 100th international conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
2003 – AOM adds "International" to its official name, becoming the International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM)
2006 – IAOM holds the inaugural meeting of a proposed Eurasia District in Istanbul, Turkey.
2007 – IAOM Eurasia District is founded