Bill Zurn and Gene Stoel, both directors with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC), were named to the United Soybean Board (USB) along with 41 other farmer leaders, the USDA announced this week.

“I truly appreciate the time and expertise these individuals have agreed to give guiding the United Soybean Board,” USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue said. “Their work is especially important as we work to improve international opportunities for American farmers and ranchers.”

Zurn farms in Callaway and Stoel is a Lake Wilson farmer who was re-elected to USB. The board is authorized by the Soybean Promotion, Research and Information Act and is composed of 78 members representing 29 states and Eastern and Western regions. Members must be soybean producers nominated by a qualified state soybean board.

“We congratulate both Gene and Bill on their election,” says MSR&PC Chair Cole Trebesch. “Both Gene and Bill will do an excellent job representing Minnesota along with their fellow USB directors, and I am confident both will bring the needs of Minnesota soybean farmers to the national forefront.”

More information about the board and a list of board members is available on the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) United Soybean Board webpage and on the board’s website.

Since 1966, Congress has authorized industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight to 21 boards. The oversight ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity, and is paid for by industry assessments.