Indiana soybean farmers interested in serving on the national soybean checkoff board have until Feb. 28 to submit an application to Indiana Soybean Alliance. United Soybean Board is comprised of 73 volunteer farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the national soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Indiana has four directors on the USB board and one of the seats is up for re-appointment this year. USB directors serve a three-year term.
The soybean checkoff program is the means by which farmers contribute to the promotion, production, utilization and market development for soybeans. USB farmer-directors are charged with ensuring the investment of these funds in sound and appropriate programs that create value for soybean farmers. USB directors are asked to commit to attending three board meetings each year, usually in February, June and December.
Any Indiana farmer engaged in the growing of soybeans in the United States who owns or who shares the ownership and risk of loss of soybeans is eligible to apply. Although the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture appoints directors to the USB board, Indiana Soybean Alliance – the state soybean checkoff organization – submits director candidate names to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the Secretary’s consideration.
To be considered as ISA’s nominee to the USB board, Indiana soybean farmers need to complete a background information form and a candidate questionnaire.
To find the form, visit https://indianasoybean.com/USBApplication2017.pdf or call Chris Weldon at 1-800-735-0195. Completed documents should be returned by Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017.