November 27, 2024

 

USDA appoints new farmer-leaders to United Soybean Board

 

 

The US Department of Agriculture has appointed five new farmer-leaders to the United Soybean Board (USB) and reappointed 12 others.

 

In total, 17 USB directors and alternates will begin three-year terms, and one director will begin a two-year term. The soybean farmers, representing 16 US states, will be officially sworn in at the USB December Meeting in St. Charles, Missouri, the United States, on December 11, 2024.

 

"We are pleased to welcome this dynamic group of farmer-leaders, both new and returning, each bringing invaluable expertise and fresh perspectives," said USB chair Steve Reinhard. "With fluctuating commodity prices and evolving markets, it's critical we have a group of strong, forward-thinkers joining the United Soybean Board.

 

"As I reflect on the outgoing directors, I am proud and honored to have worked with such a committed group of individuals, many of whom pursued leadership roles and sparked positive change in bringing value back to the half-million US soybean farmers."

 

The USB, which administers national soy checkoff investments, increases farmer profitability through initiatives and partnerships that grow domestic and global demand for US soybeans and protect on-farm resiliency. The checkoff programme has 77 members from 29 states in addition to the Eastern and Western Regions.

 

The volume of soybeans produced in each state and region determines the number of board seats and farmer representation. Board members are soybean farmers nominated by their respective Qualified State Soybean Boards (QSSB) and appointed by the US Secretary of Agriculture.

 

"While our board members grow and raise more than 30 different commodities across the country, growing US Soy unites us, and our goal is to create value by investing in research, education and promotion," said USB vice chair Ed Lammers. "USB was founded by farmers, run by farmers and exists to serve farmers. Whether we're growing export markets, increasing market share in animal diets, reinforcing our transportation system or discovering new biobased products made with soybean meal or oil, our board remains dedicated to strengthening the bottom line for US soybean growers."

- USB