The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) supports programs that build emerging markets and grow demand for U.S. Soy across the globe. Council Directors Joel Schreurs and Gail Donkers are doing their part by serving on an advisory panel to the Soy Excellence Center (SEC), a checkoff-supported program that provides developing countries with tools and resources to grow their food and agribusinesses sectors.

Schreurs completed a year as secretary of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) board and sits on USSEC’s Allied Sub-Class. He will now represent USSEC on SEC’s Global Advisory Panel. During SEC’s meeting in Denver at Commodity Classic, the Tyler farmer was elected to serve as SEC treasurer. Donkers, who serves as MSR&PC vice chair, was also appointed to represent MSR&PC on SEC’s Global Advisory Panel.

“I’m very excited about the possibilities with the SEC,” Schreurs said following USSEC’s Annual Meeting in Denver. “I think it’s one of the best checkoff programs we’ve ever come up with.”

Founded in 2019 with checkoff support from state and national grous groups including MSR&PC, the SEC builds emerging markets into examples of economic success by building the capacity and market potential of international food and agriculture businesses. Its goal is to build soy’s global reputation as a vector for change. Across five international facilities, the SEC delivers workforce training and capacity building needs across soy’s value chain to enhance industry capability and capacity across two dozen countries in the Americas, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East & Northern Africa. It works with global experts as course facilitators in four fields: poultry, feed milling, swine and aquaculture.

“The SEC has helped drive demand, and I tell people it’s exceeded my wildest expectations,” USSEC CEO Jim Sutter said.

Past Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) Director Bill Gordon previously served on SEC before retiring from MSGA in 2024. Schreurs has served on SEC’s Steering Committee for the Americas for several years and hopes to continue working within the Americas on SEC. He recently met with SEC participants during a USSEC retreat in Colombia and said he appreciated hearing the profound impact soy checkoff investments were having across the world.

“It’s almost overwhelming when you hear their stories and how we’re helping to change lives,” Schreurs said.

While attending Commodity Classic, Donkers attended her first meeting since joining the SEC Panel. She’s also excited for the opportunity to represent Minnesota on the global stage and use her education skills for good.

“We’re helping people by providing tools and education,” said Donkers, who also represents MSR&PC on the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance board. “I’m proud to support SEC’s mission and look forward to helping develop new markets.”