The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council finalized its 2020 election this week. Five Council directors were reelected to their positions.
Earning reelection to the Council are: Callaway farmer Bill Zurn (District 1, 2 & 3); Patrick O’Leary (District 4) of Benson; Franklin farmer Pat Sullivan (District 5 & 6); Brewster farmer Ron Obermoller (District 7) and Sherburn grower Rochelle Krusemark (District 8), respectively.
“The Council plays a large role in addressing future challenges such as marketing, weed, pest and disease management, as well as other issues that affect farmers’ bottom lines,” says Sullivan, who currently serves as Council secretary. “Being involved in the Council is important because of the ties we have working with farmers.”
Earlier this month, Council Chair Cole Trebesch announced Winona County grower Glen Groth had been appointed to serve as District 9 representative. Groth will complete the term of Rob Hanks, who died in December 2019.
“After seeing a lot of engagement this election season, we’re excited to welcome back a strong, diverse set of directors,” says Trebesch, a Sleepy Eye farmer. “During these tumultuous times, we’re heartened by the fact we have an experienced board of directors ready to rise to the challenges facing agriculture.”
The directors will serve three-year terms, beginning July 1.
“I will uphold the accountability, respect and integrity exhibited by past and current Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council directors,” said Krusemark, who also serves on the United Soybean Board. “Thank you for your support and confidence in me by allowing me to continue to represent District 8.”
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture administers the election. More than 4,100 Minnesota farmers received ballots, up from about 3,800 in 2019. MSR&PC is the elected board of soybean producers from Minnesota who direct investments of the state’s checkoff dollars in programs designed to increase profitability to the nearly 28,000 soybean farmers in the state.
“It is exciting to see checkoff dollars in action and making a difference, both close to home, and across the globe,” Obermoller says.
