The USDA has announced the appointment of 19 members, including Fairmont farmer Lawrence Sukalski, and one alternate to serve three-year terms on the United Soybean Board. The terms begin December 2020 and end December 2023.
“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.”
Sukalski farms on his fifth-generation farm in Martin County. He’s previously served as a director with the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and American Soybean Association. He was first appointed to USB in 2017.
“It’s going to be an honor to serve our farmers and work on the research and promotion side of soybeans,” Sukalski said. “We’re all humbled by this great checkoff machine we have going, and I am proud to be a part of an organization where we can continue to open new markets, explore new technologies and find new uses for soybeans.”
Joining Sukalski on USB are:
- Alabama – Sam Butler, New Hope
- Arkansas – AJ Hood, Star City
- Illinois – Gary Berg, Saint Elmo
- Indiana – Tom Griffiths, Kendallville
- Iowa – Thomas E. Oswald, Cleghorn, and Timothy Bardole, Rippey
- Kansas – Dennis Gruenbacher, Andale
- Kentucky – Ryan Dale Bivens, Hodgenville
- Maryland – Belinda Burrier, Union Bridge
- Michigan – Laurie Isley, Palmyra
- Mississippi – Philip Good, Macon
- Missouri – Lewis Rone, Pontageville
- Nebraska – Greg Greving, Chapman
- Ohio – David A. Dotterer, Rittman
- South Carolina – Fitzhugh Bethea, Dillon
- South Dakota – Todd J. Hanten, Goodwin
- Tennessee – David E. Nichols, Ridgely
- Texas – Andrew W. Scott, Jr., Weslaco
Newly appointed alternate is:
- Texas – Harold Roberts, Honey Grove
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.
“Every board member plays an integral role by lending their expertise and industry insights to determine checkoff investments that benefit all U.S. soybean farmers,” USB Chair Jim Carroll III said. “The soy checkoff is led by a dedicated and diverse group of farmers, and I look forward to working with each of the newly appointed leaders to move our industry forward and further innovation.”
More information about the board and a list of board members is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) United Soybean Board webpage and on the board’s website, Unitedsoybean.org.
Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 21 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.
