New farmer-leaders appointed to the United Soybean Board

ST. LOUIS (Feb. 12, 2026) — The United Soybean Board (USB) welcomes 19 new and 21 returning farmer-leaders, appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. In total, 40 USB directors and four alternates will begin three-year terms. These U.S. soybean farmers, representing 24 states and two regions, were officially sworn in and participated in work group discussions at USB’s February Board Meeting in Biloxi, Miss. They joined current USB Directors to assess Soy Checkoff investments across the food, feed, fuel, industrial, export and sustainable production markets.

“The United Soybean Board is strongest when it’s led by farmers who understand demand opportunities, on-farm innovations and a deep knowledge of today’s ag economy, and this group brings exactly that perspective,” said Brent Gatton, USB Chair and Kentucky farmer. “We’re grateful for the farmers stepping up to serve, but I also want to thank our outgoing farmer-leaders for the time, energy and leadership they gave to this organization. Their commitment strengthened the Soy Checkoff and helped deliver lasting value to soybean farmers across the country.”

The 19 newly appointed farmer-leaders include:

• Arkansas – Brad Doyle, Weiner
• Illinois – Robert J. Shaffer, El Paso
• Kansas – Keith Miller, Great Bend
• Kansas – Gary Robbins, Emmett
• Michigan – Edward J. Cagney, Scotts
• Minnesota – Joel Schreurs, Tyler
• Missouri – Tim Gottman, Monroe City
• Missouri – Aaron Porter, Dexter
• Nebraska – Cale Buhr, Inland
• New York – Todd O. Du Mond, Auburn
• North Dakota – Rob Rose, Wimbledon
• Ohio – Jerry Bambauer, Bremen
• Pennsylvania – Andrew J. Fabin, Homer City
• South Dakota – Dave Poppens, Lennox
• Tennessee – Ed Sanders, Franklin
• Tennessee – Brad Cochran, Humboldt
• Wisconsin – Andy Bensend, Dallas
• Wisconsin – Danny Brisky, Columbus
• Western Region – Ross Watermann, Vona, Colo.

The 21 reappointed farmer-leaders include:

• Illinois – David R. Wessel, Chandlerville
• Indiana – Don Wyss, Fort Wayne
• Indiana – Matthew Chapman, Springport
• Iowa – Robb Ewoldt, Davenport
• Kentucky – Barry Alexander, Cadiz
• Louisiana – Joey Boudreaux, Port Barre
• Maryland – Travis Hutchison, Cordova
• Michigan – Dennis J. Gardner, Croswell
• Minnesota – Tom Frisch, Dumont
• Mississippi – Jerry Slocum, Coldwater
• Mississippi – Matthew N. Guedon, Natchez
• Nebraska – Victor Bohuslavsky, Seward
• New Jersey – Patrick Giberson, Pemberton
• New York – Jason Swede, Piffard
• North Carolina – Reginald H. Strickland, Mount Olive
• North Dakota – Matt Gast, Fargo
• Ohio – Charles William Bayliss, Mansfield
• Oklahoma – Brent Rendel, Miami
• South Dakota – Michael McCranie, Claremont
• Wisconsin – Anthony C. Mellenthin, Eau Galle
• Eastern Region – Nick Kercheval, Harpers Ferry, W.Va.

The four newly appointed alternates include:

• Delaware – Bob Willoughby, Jr., Middletown
• New Jersey – Murn Myers, Delanco
• Eastern Region – Mark H. Kable, Charles Town, W.Va.
• Western Region – Rod Hahn, Yuma, Colo.

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 (QSSBs) and appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

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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About United Soybean Board
United Soybean Board’s 77 farmer-leaders work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to increase demand, drive on-farm resilience and ensure farmers achieve maximum value for their Soy Checkoff investments. These volunteers create value through strategic partnerships across research, promotion and education investments – spanning the food, feed, fuel, industrial uses, exports and sustainable production market segments. USB also focuses its communication and education efforts on strengthening the reputation of U.S. Soy with customers, amplifying checkoff investments to inform U.S. soybean farmers and partnering with the 30+ Qualified State Soybean Boards on research and outreach. 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 unitedsoybean.org.