VAA News

Echoing VAA’s overall outreach efforts, the Sioux Falls office recently volunteered to give back to their South Dakota community. The entire office participated in serving at The Banquet, the local meal center. Arriving at 6:00am, the VAA team helped serve breakfast to 262 people in need (including 24 children). “The eagerness of our Sioux Falls […]

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 50 combustible dust accidents occurred in the United States alone between 2008 and 2012. To continue improving and reducing hazard risk in agricultural facilities, the NFPA reviews and updates their guidelines every three years. The latest, 2016 edition of NFPA 652 Standards for Combustible Dust introduces the […]

Thirteen VAA employees volunteered in South St. Paul with Habitat for Humanity (Habitat). With a range of construction skill levels, the team was divided into groups to work on various aspects of the build. One larger group of employees framed and nailed sheathing (plywood attached to studs) in the garage and installed the scaffolding for […]

Every month should be a safe month. But in June, the National Safety Council (NSC) gives a safety shout out to reducing injury or death in areas in which we spend the most time – on the road, at home and work. As part of the month’s activities, NSC provides free educational materials and articles […]

To conclude VAA’s three-part series on the changing NFPA 652 guideline, we focus on a few compelling reasons to start moving your facility toward compliance. The continued development and updates of the NFPA guidelines are, at least in part, developed as a result of past, unaddressed facility hazards. As a preventative measure and code improvement, […]

The three-part series continues explaining the forms a DHA can take in existing and new facilities or expansions. Existing Facilities: Operations & Housekeeping Procedures Often it is not the design, but the lack of consistent maintenance in existing facilities that pose risk. When conducting a DHA, the difference between the Maybe a hazard and Deflagration […]

This three-part series defines the NFPA 652 guideline changes and impact to existing and new facilities. The article will also explore compelling reasons to get ahead of this regulation change. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 50 combustible dust accidents occurred in the United States alone between 2008 and 2012. To continue improving […]

Cats, dogs, goats… Oh my! VAA employees raised funds and participated with their canine companions in the Walk for Animals, the nation’s largest human / animal walk fundraising event. Thousands of people, pets and other four-legged friends took part in this Animal Humane Society fundraising event in an effort to provide food, shelter, medical care and […]

Interested in the journey from rubble to a functional office? Watch as the Annapolis space unfolds over the course of construction from 14 different angles. The video below highlights several amenities for all employees to enjoy, including two kitchen areas, a large-group training center and fitness and game rooms to support employee wellness.  

Student Day at the 2018 GEAPS Exchange gave young leaders an opportunity to ask questions, make connections and develop an understanding of careers in the grain industry. Brian Utoft, a Senior Associate / Senior Process Engineer at VAA, participated along with several of his peers to lead discussions. Read the full GEAPS article about the […]