As winter rolls in and outdoor work gives way to paperwork and year-end books, why not take a few minutes to become a candidate for election to the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC)?

It’s that time of year again, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is seeking candidates for commodity council elections for 2021.

“Serving on the Council is rewarding and an important step in directing where soybean checkoff investments go,” MSR&PC Vice Chair and election chair Joe Serbus said. “A larger pool of candidates gives farmers the chance to vote for someone who will give them a voice on checkoff investments. The more the merrier.”

There are five Council seats up for election in 2021: Kris Folland (District 1, 2 & 3); Jim Call (Dist. 4); Jim Willers (Dist. 7); Cole Trebesch (Dist. 8) and Ben Storm (Dist. 9). Council directors help direct the state’s soybean checkoff dollars on behalf of Minnesota’s nearly 28,000 soybean farmers. Interested participants must fill out a candidate certification form and a candidate biography form.

“If you’re unsure about being a candidate or serving on the Council, we encourage farmers to reach out to their area representative,” said Trebesch, who serves as Council chair. “Volunteering your time to any organization takes commitment, and not everyone is meant to be a leader. However, it is an honor and a privilege to represent Minnesota soybean farmers and to ensure the soybean checkoff is invested properly.”

Interested candidates can download the necessary forms at mnsoybean.org/msrpc. All biographical and candidate certification forms are due to the Minnesota Soybean office by Jan. 25, 2021. MDA will mail ballots on March 19 to those who request them or have voted in past elections; ballots must be postmarked no later than April 5.