New Farmer-Leaders Appointed to the United Soybean Board
The U.S. Department of Agriculture appoints five U.S. soybean farmers to serve on the United Soybean Board and reappoints 12 directors for an additional term.
ST. LOUIS (Nov. 18, 2024) — The U.S. 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. These U.S. soybean farmers, representing 16 states, will be officially sworn in at the USB December Meeting in St. Charles, Missouri, on Dec. 11, 2024.
“We are pleased to welcome this dynamic group of farmer-leaders, both new and returning, each bringing invaluable expertise and fresh perspectives. With fluctuating commodity prices and evolving markets, it’s critical we have a group of strong, forward-thinkers joining the United Soybean Board,” said Steve Reinhard, USB Chair and farmer from Ohio. “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 U.S. soybean farmers.”
The United Soybean Board, which administers national soy checkoff investments, increases farmer profitability through initiatives and partnerships that grow domestic and global demand for U.S. soybeans and protect on-farm resiliency. The checkoff program 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 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
“While our board members grow and raise more than 30 different commodities across the country, growing U.S. Soy unites us, and our goal is to create value by investing in research, education and promotion,” said Ed Lammers, USB Vice Chair and Nebraska farmer. “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 U.S. soybean growers.”
The newly appointed farmer-leaders include:
• Illinois – Steve Pitstick, Maple Park
• Iowa – Suzanne H. Shirbroun, Farmersburg
• Kentucky – Keith N. Tapp, Sebree (2-year term)
• Nebraska – Gregg Fujan, Weston
• Pennsylvania – Justin Jones, Wyalusing
The reappointed farmer-leaders include:
• Arkansas – Robert Petter, DeValls Bluff
• Georgia – Jesse Patrick, Madison
• Indiana – Jim Douglas, Flat Rock
• Kentucky – Brent Gatton, Sacramento
• Louisiana – Garrett Marsh, Tallulah
• Minnesota – Patrick O’Leary, Benson
• Missouri – Robert Alpers, Prairie Home
• North Carolina – Benjamin Derek Potter, Grantsboro
• North Dakota – Cindy Pulskamp, Hillsboro
• Ohio – Jeff Magyar, Orwell
• South Dakota – Tim Ostrem, Centerville
• Virginia – Shannon Tignor Ellis, Champlain
The newly appointed alternates include:
• Georgia – Mark Ariail, Carnesville
To see USDA’s Notice of Trade about appointments, click here. To learn more about key investments made on behalf of U.S. soybean farmers, visit unitedsoybean.org.
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