Helping to lead the charge in checkoff investments for the state, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) Director Patrick O’Leary will once again take that leadership beyond Minnesota’s borders as a United Soybean Board (USB) director.
“As a farmer it is important to me that we all take an interest in agriculture,” O’Leary said. “The promotion of soybeans and development of markets for our soybeans is extremely important in ensuring the continued success of all farmers, and I’m honored to play a role in those efforts at the national level as part of the United Soybean Board.”
O’Leary, a fourth-generation farmer from Benson, Minn., and a board member on Northern Soy Marketing (NSM), was one of 12 farmer-leaders to be reappointed to the USB. Five new farmer-leaders will also join the board representing 16 states. In total, 17 USB directors and alternates will begin three-year terms, and one director will begin a two-year term.
O’Leary is joined on USB by Minnesota farmers Tom Frisch, Gene Stoel and Lawrence Sukalski.
“We are pleased to welcome this dynamic group of farmer-leaders, both new and returning, each bringing invaluable expertise and fresh perspectives. With fluctuating commodity prices and evolving markets, it’s critical we have a group of strong, forward-thinkers joining the United Soybean Board,” said Steve Reinhard, USB Chair and farmer from Ohio.
The United Soybean Board, which administers national soy checkoff investments, increases farmer profitability through initiatives and partnerships that grow domestic and global demand for U.S. soybeans and protect on-farm resiliency. The checkoff program has 77 members from 29 states in addition to the Eastern and Western Regions. The volume of soybeans produced in each state and region determines the number of board seats and farmer representation. Board members are soybean farmers nominated by their respective Qualified State Soybean Boards (QSSB) and appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
O’Leary and the 16 other USB directors will be officially sworn in at the USB December meeting in St. Charles, Missouri, on Dec. 11, 2024.
