Traverse County farmer Tom Frisch led the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) as chair for two years, helping to direct soy checkoff investments in research, value-added uses, developing new leaders and building markets. Now, after stepping down as Council chair in June 2025, Frisch is taking on a greater role with the United Soybean Board (USB) after being elected secretary during USB’s December board meeting in St. Louis.   

“I’m really excited for the opportunity ahead this year to help my fellow farmers and our rural communities by investing in checkoff projects that can drive demand for our soybeans,” said Frisch, who will serve his second year on USB’s Executive Committee. “Our mission at USB is very similar to Minnesota’s – improving farmer profitability – just on a bigger scale.”  

Frisch, who was elected to MSR&PC in 2019 and represents District 4, is a partner on his fourth-generation family farm. Frisch raises soybeans, corn, sunflowers and grapes. In addition to working with the family farming operation, Frisch also started his own crop consulting business after graduating from North Dakota State University in 2000 with a degree in agriculture economics and has served as a volunteer firefighter for the past 25 years. Frisch and his wife, Dr. Jane Vangsness Frisch, live two miles north of the original Felix Frisch and Son homestead.  

Farmer ROI

Frisch, in collaboration with new USB Chair Brent Gatton and 75 USB volunteer farmer leaders, will assist in overseeing  FY26 investments and priorities across the market segments of food, feed, fuel, industrial uses, exports and sustainable production, which effectively grow demand for U.S. soy, drive on-farm resilience and bring value to the nearly half-million U.S. soybean farmers.  

“Farmers have weathered a year marked by real economic uncertainty, and I’m privileged to step into this role at such a pivotal moment,” said Gatton, who farms in Kentucky. “The soy checkoff remains relentlessly focused on creating value for U.S. soybean farmers by protecting existing markets, accelerating new uses, and opening new doors for U.S. soy around the world. As Chair, I’m focused on pushing forward investments that move volume while also promoting our sustainability to keep U.S. soybean farmers competitive in the global marketplace.”  

Pictured here in 2023, Minnesota farmers (left to right) Gene Stoel, Lawrence Sukalski, Patrick O’Leary and Tom Frisch represent the state’s farmers through service on the United Soybean Board.

In the coming year, USB will also focus on increasing communication and education efforts to strengthen the reputation of U.S. Soy with customers, amplify checkoff investments to inform U.S. soybean farmers, and enhance partnerships with over 30 state soybean boards, including MSR&PC, on research, outreach and demand generation.    

 “It’s really amazing all the different projects the checkoff invests in at the national level,” Frisch said. “There are a lot of new industrial uses for soy, products like hydraulic oil for mining equipment, soy-based firefighting foam and tires. We want to find those new uses that are going to increase demand.”  

In his role as secretary, Frisch will chair USB’s Feed, Fuel and Exports Action Team. Minnesota farmers Patrick O’Leary, Gene Stoel and Lawrence Sukalski also represent Minnesota on USB. O’Leary serves on the Infrastructure & Connectivity – Exports Action Team and Audit & Evaluation Committee; Stoel sits on the Health & Nutrition – Food Action Team; and Sukalski is a member of USB’s Health & Nutrition – Feed Action Team and Financial Audit Committee.

“I’m excited to see Tom’s leadership and vision being recognized by his farmer peers on USB,” MSR&PC CEO Tom Slunecka said. “I’m grateful for his commitment, along with the efforts of Tom’s Minnesota colleagues on USB, as we put our checkoff goals into action in 2026. These leaders continue to demonstrate the importance of active leadership to bring value back to Minnesota soybean farmers.”

In 1991, Tracy, Minnesota, farmer Sandy Ludeman became USB’s first chair, and former MSR&PC Director Jim Call also served as USB chair in 2014.   

“Minnesota has a strong history of representation on USB, and I’m honored to follow in those footsteps and hopefully make some positive contributions to our industry,” Frisch said.