ST. LOUIS (October 14, 2014) - Nineteen farmer-leaders will be sworn in as directors of the United Soybean Board (USB) in December, after their recent appointments by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
The 19 soybean farmers from across the United States include five new appointees and 14 returning directors. These volunteer farmers invest soy checkoff funds on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers in projects to increase the value of U.S. soybean meal and oil, ensure U.S. farmers and their customers maintain the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers.
"We're looking forward to welcoming these new and returning farmer-leaders to the board," says Jim Call, USB chairman and soybean farmer from Madison, Minnesota. "We know that they will work with their fellow USB directors in wisely investing checkoff dollars for the benefit of all U.S. soybean farmers."
Appointed farmer-leaders include :
- Angela M. Dee, Aliceville, Alabama*
- Robert L. Stobaugh, Atkins, Arkansas*
- Dwain L. Ford, Kinmundy, Illinois*
- Michael A. Beard, Frankfort, Indiana*
- Larry K. Marek, Riverside, Iowa*
- Thomas E. Oswald, Cleghorn, Iowa
- Craig M. Gigstad, Valley Falls, Kansas*
- Keith N. Tapp, Sebree, Kentucky*
- Belinda L. Burrier, Union Bridge, Maryland
- Herbert N. Miller, Niles, Michigan
- Scott G. Singlestad, Waseca, Minnesota*
- James D. Sneed, Senatobia, Mississippi*
- George L. Rone, Portageville, Missouri
- Mike G. Korth, Randolph, Nebraska
- Daniel J. Corcoran, Piketon, Ohio*
- Ellie W. Green, Lynchburg, South Carolina*
- Robert J. Metz, Peever, South Dakota*
- David E. Nichols, Ridgely, Tennessee*
- Thomas P. Rotello, Navasota, Texas*
*Indicates returning director
All appointees serve three-year terms, beginning Dec. 11, when they'll be sworn in at USB's annual meeting in St. Louis. Qualified State Soybean Boards (QSSBs) nominated all of the appointees.
The 70 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.
For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
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