The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC), in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, is conducting annual elections this spring. For the past several months, the Council has sought a wide pool of candidates to fill five seats spanning the state. Bill Zurn, who served over 20 years on MSR&PC, is retiring from his District 1, 2 & 3 seat.

MSR&PC directors serve three-year terms, beginning July 1. The 15 elected farmers wisely direct investments of soybean checkoff resources into developing new uses for soybeans, expanding markets domestically and abroad; researching new production practices and technologies; and leadership development programs – with an eye squarely on improving profitability for Minnesota soybean farmers.

“During a time of transition in our industry, we’re excited to see our farmers continue to want to make a positive difference to benefit their operations and agriculture as a whole,” MSR&PC Vice Chair Ben Storm said. “Bill Zurn has had a huge influence on Minnesota agriculture during his career, and we’re looking forward to honoring his legacy in the months ahead while welcoming his replacement.”

Take a look below to learn more from the farmer leaders running for the Council. MDA will mail ballots March 16 to farmers who have voted in past MSR&PC elections or who requested a ballot. Ballots are due back to MDA by Tuesday, April 1, and no ballots postmarked after April 1 will be accepted.

Dave Garry grows soybeans, corn, black oil sunflowers and small grains (hard red spring wheat and winter rye) in Thief River Falls.

He is currently chair of the Pennington-Red Lake County Soybean & Corn Growers Association and is a member of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA). Dave proudly serves as co-chair for Trash the Dress for MDS, which works with North Country Horsemen’s Trails for Treatment, a cancer grant program that works with communities across a six-county area to support those affected by cancer. Counties include Polk, Red Lake, Pennington, Marshall, Roseau and Kittson. Dave also cooks breakfast for the Ronald McDonald House.

Dave’s goals on the Council:

I want to help MSR&PC expand into new markets and promote uses for Minnesota-grown soybeans, both domestically and internationally. I want to find ways to lower input costs, work on advancing research in areas such as Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (IDC), soybean cyst nematodes, white mold and improving yields. I hope to serve and represent our farmers in Districts 1, 2 & 3 in northwest Minnesota.

Patrick O’Leary raises soybeans, corn and is a swine contract grower in Swift County. He is the Council’s current District 4 representative and served as chair from 2017-2019. Patrick also represents MSR&PC on both the United Soybean Board (USB) and Northern Soy Marketing. He is a member of MSGA, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and Minnesota Farm Bureau.

Patrick’s goals on the Council:

As a farmer, it is important to me that we all take an interest in the continued success of agriculture. The promotion of soybeans and development of markets for our soybeans is extremely important in ensuring the continued success of all farmers. It is also necessary that we research and develop soybeans that will not only lead to better yields and profitability for the farmer but also increase the quality of soybeans for our markets. The wise investment of our checkoff dollars will ensure that Minnesota and the U.S. remain leaders in the soybean industry, keeping our farmers competitive and successful in the global agriculture economy.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support.

Pat Sullivan grows soybeans, corn, sweetcorn, sugarbeets and peas on his family farm in Franklin. He currently serves as Council secretary and is a District 5 & 6 director He is a member of the Renville County Soybean & Corn Growers board and MSGA, belongs to the Franklin Fire Department and is an active member of the Sacred Heart Church Cemetery Board.

Pat’s goals on the Council:

In my role on the Council, I strive to keep Minnesota soybean farmers on the cutting edge of the newest technologies in soybean production, from the best research and breeding to meeting the ever-changing demands of our domestic and international customers to helping strengthen relationships with new and existing partners by creating the perfect products for them. This includes, but certainly isn’t limited to, soybean oil, biodiesel, soymeal and supporting products that lead to greater demand – with an emphasis on improving farmer profitability, which in turns, leads to more prosperous rural communities throughout Minnesota.

Thanks to soy checkoff investments, we’ve helped develop shingle treatments, road treatments (which I’ve put to use on my own driveway), firefighting foam that helps lower the risk of cancer and soy-based field turf. As a farmer and checkoff director, I continue to be amazed by how versatile our crop is. I’m also passionate about the agronomic research we support. Our checkoff dollars are finding solutions for weed resistance in soybeans, developing better varieties or treatments for diseases and supporting the ongoing research for these products.

If I’m fortunate enough to serve another term representing our farmers, I will continue to seek the next breakthrough from our checkoff that helps create demand for soybeans and improve the bottom lines of Minnesota’s farmers. Serving on this board alongside so many talented and passionate businessmen and women is a great privilege and responsibility, and I would be humbled to once again earn your support.

Raymond DeMars grows soybeans, corn and beef cattle on his farm in Swanville. He is a director with the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and a graduate of the American Soybean Association’s Young Leader Program.

Raymond’s goals on the Council:

As a 33-year-old producer deeply committed to the future of Minnesota agriculture, I am writing to express my interest in serving on MSR&PC. Operating at a time of rapid technological and environmental change, I believe it is vital for the Council to include voices that represent the next generation of growers — those of us who will be managing these lands and markets for decades to come. My goal is to ensure that our checkoff dollars are invested strategically in high-yield research, sustainable soil health practices and aggressive market expansion that secures profitability for both current and future operations.

I am eager to bring a fresh perspective to the table, combining a respect for our industry’s traditions with a drive to adopt the innovations necessary to keep Minnesota soybeans competitive on a global scale.

Ron Obermoller grows soybeans and corn on his operation in Brewster. He is the Council’s District 7 representative. He served for more than a decade on the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) board. Ron is a member of MSGA and MCGA and a Minnesota Soybean Processors board director.

Ron’s goals on the Council:

Representing Minnesota farmers on MSR&PC has been a privilege. I believe in the power of soybean farmers working together through the checkoff program to accomplish research for the benefit of all soybean producers. I make every effort to be available to my fellow producers and respond to them.

I’m asking for your vote. Balancing your investment between research, promotion and education to get the most out of your checkoff investments will be my goal.

On her family farm in Sherburn, Rochelle Krusemark raises soybeans, corn, cover crops, forage grass, custom finish hogs and has a cow-calf beef herd. Rochelle is a member of MSGA, MCGA, MFB, Minnesota Cattlewomen and MN Pork Producers. She’s also a past director with USB and the Soy Nutrition Institute and currently serves on MSR&PC, the U.S. Meat Export Federation and U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action.

Rochelle’s goals on the Council:

I passionately promote agricultural literacy and farm commodities within our community, state, the U.S. and internationally. As a former schoolteacher, I desire to learn and commit the time necessary to prepare for meetings. I listen and observe, exhibit integrity and have earned a reputation as an independent thinker, respectful team member and effective leader who encourages participation and collaboration.

Our soybean checkoff investments develop market growth by funding research, promoting our products, serving as an information resource, and developing new uses for Minnesota soybeans. We grow soybean varieties that meet the demands of our consumers and end users; human or animal and industrial uses. We can encourage both current and future scientists and engineers to make the ‘magic bean’ even better. Meeting demand and expanding markets both in the U.S. and abroad, the soybean checkoff helps ensure a strong and profitable future for U.S. soybean farmers. My experience in developing strategic plans, resolutions, financial interpretation and planning, and business experience are an asset to MSR&PC.

Responsible investment of commodity checkoff funds takes time and commitment. I am grateful for a family who realizes the benefits of “filling in” to complete the tasks during my absence from our farm, as well as my time devoted to reading and communication in preparation for meetings. I am approachable and available to listen to your concerns. I would appreciate your support and confidence in me by reelecting me to serve as MSR&PC’s District 8 director.

Lawrence Sukalski grows soybeans and corn on his Fairmont family farm. He currently represents MSR&PC on USB and sits on the Martin County Soybean & Corn Growers board. He’s also a director with MSGA and a member of MCGA and Farmers Union.

Lawrence’s goals on the Council:

I am completing my final term on USB, where I’ve had the opportunity to serve on the Executive Committee, act as Work Group Lead for three years and serve on the Value Alignment Committee for four years. Through this work, I helped build a strong foundation for the future of the soybean checkoff by improving transparency, increasing efficiency and expanding shared resources. These efforts have strengthened accountability and ensured that checkoff dollars are managed responsibly and effectively.

If elected, I would bring this experience and commitment to MSR&PC, helping to support long-term success by applying the same principles of transparency, efficiency and value-driven decision-making for Minnesota soybean farmers.