(NDAgConnection.com) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of 19 new farmer-leaders to serve on the United Soybean Board (USB). In addition, 24 farmer-leaders were reappointed. Forty-six leaders and alternates will serve three-year terms, and one new appointed member will serve a one-year term. Leaders will be sworn in for service during the USB December Meeting in St. Charles, Mo.
“We are thrilled about this group of directors joining us, whether they are new or returning farmer-leaders,” said Ralph Lott, USB chair and farmer from New York. “Each of them offers different expertise and industry insights that will assist with making strategic checkoff investments to benefit all U.S. soybean farmers now and looking at what’s ahead.”
The soy checkoff provides significant value to farmers by continuing to fund programs that build preference for U.S. soybeans across the country and throughout the world. Authorized by the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the checkoff is composed of 77 members representing 29 states, in addition to the Eastern and Western regions. The number of seats on the board and farmer representation is based on bushels produced in each of the production regions. Members must be soybean farmers nominated by a Qualified State Soybean Board.
“I look forward to the diverse perspectives these farmer-leaders will bring to our board. Together, we will work to create value for U.S. soybean farmers through strategically designed research, education and promotion programs,” said Meagan Kaiser, USB vice chair and Missouri farmer.
Newly appointed farmer-leaders include:
Arkansas — Dustin Henson, Paragould
Illinois — David Wessel, Chandlerville; and Dwayne R. Anderson, Lynn Center
Indiana — Matthew Chapman, Springport
Iowa — Robb Ewoldt, Davenport; and Brent Renner, Klemme (1-year term)
Louisiana — Joseph Boudreaux, Port Barre
Maryland — R. Travis Hutchison, Cordova
Michigan — Dennis J. Gardner, Croswell; and Carla Schultz, Mayville
Minnesota — Thomas F. Frisch, Dumont
Mississippi — Matthew Guedon, Natchez
Nebraska — Victor Bohuslavsky, Seward
New Jersey — Patrick Giberson, Pemberton
New York — Jason E. Swede, Piffard
Oklahoma — Brent A. Rendel, Miami
South Dakota — Dawn Scheier, Salem
Wisconsin — Sara R. Stelter, Wautoma
Western Region — Rod Hahn, Yuma, Colo.
Reappointed farmer-leaders include:
Delaware — Cory Atkins, Seaford
Indiana — Donald Andrew Wyss II, Fort Wayne
Kansas — Kurt Maurath, Oakley; and Lance Rezac, Onaga
Kentucky — Barry Lee Alexander, Cadiz
Minnesota — Gene Stoel, Lake Wilson
Mississippi — Jerry Slocum, Coldwater
Missouri — Neal W. Bredehoeft, Alma; and Meagan Kaiser, Bowling Green
Nebraska — Edward Lammers, Hartington
North Carolina — Reginald H. Strickland, Mount Olive
North Dakota — Matthew Gast, Valley City; Ryan Richard, Horace; and Darren Kadlec, Pisek
Ohio — Steve Reinhard, Bucyrus; and Charles W. Bayliss, West Mansfield
Pennsylvania — John Harrell, Lebanon
South Dakota — Michael McCranie, Claremont
Tennessee — Don Willis, Hillsboro; and Steve May, Hurricane Mills
Virginia — Susan A. Watkins, Sutherland
Wisconsin — Nancy Kavazanjian, Beaver Dam; and Tony Mellenthin, Eau Galle
Eastern Region — J. Nicholas Kercheval, Harpers Ferry, W.V.
Newly appointed alternates include:
Delaware — Robert L. Emerson III, Middletown
New York — Seth Pritchard, Canandaigua
Eastern Region — Mark H. Kable, Charles Town, W.V.
Western Region — Ross Watermann, Vona, Colo.