Gathering together in person for the first time in more than a year, the Northern Soy Marketing (NSM) board of directors met in Brookings, South Dakota, on June 29. The board elected new officers and approving projects for the upcoming fiscal year.

Patrick O’Leary, a director with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, was elected as NSM’s chair. He succeeds Mike Langseth.

“For me, it’s exciting to be able to take on the challenges to promote high-quality northern-grown soybeans,” said O’Leary, who previously served as NSM’s secretary/treasurer. “Our board is going to work hard to continue to direct projects that benefit the soybean farmers in our region and ag in general.”

In other board elections, Mike McCranie, a director on the South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council was re-elected as vice chair, and Langseth, a director on North Dakota Soybean Council was elected secretary/treasurer.

In other changes to the board, Glen Groth, a director on the Minnesota council, will join as a director, replacing Brian Fruechte.

NSM’s first get-together since before the COVID-19 pandemic began with a tour of Prairie AquaTech, a company that produces soy-based aquaculture feed. During the meeting, held at Brookings’ Swiftel Center, the board discussed its strategic plan and upcoming projects to promote the high quality of soybeans grown in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, including attending trade shows and the hope to travel internationally again.

“It was great to meet everyone in person,” said Lee Steinhauer, NSM market development project manager. “NSM has a great team and had a very productive meeting. I look forward to working with the board in promoting our state’s soybeans and the EAA message to domestic and international audiences.”