10 Soybean Farmers to See Checkoff in Action

ST. LOUIS (May 21, 2013) - Farmer-leaders of the soy checkoff recently informed 10 U.S. soybean farmers of their selection for the 2013 See for Yourself program, an intensive, weeklong educational experience that helps soybean farmers learn more about their checkoff and industry.

"We at the national soy checkoff are thrilled with the interest we've seen this year in this important program," says David Hartke, a soybean farmer from Teutopolis, Ill., and chair of the United Soybean Board (USB) Audit and Evaluation program, which sponsors See for Yourself.

"I think we have an outstanding group of participants this year, all of whom I see as having great leadership potential for the ag industry going forward," says Hartke.

Selected through an application process, the following U.S. soybean farmers come from soybean-growing states around the country and will participate in the program:

• Stacey Artz, N.D.
• Peter Bakken, S.D.
• Jonathan Gibbs, Wis.
• Jeffery Heimerl, Ohio
• David Lanners, Minn.
• Rodney Lehman, Mo.
• Travis Matthews, Mo.
• Quint Pottinger, Ky.
• Austin Rincker, Ill.
• Wallace Willoughby III, Ark.

Participants will gather July 18-26 and learn about checkoff and soy industry activities in St. Louis and the countries of Panama and Colombia.

They will see how their domestic and international customers beyond the elevator use soy meal and oil. They will also see their checkoff funds in action by visiting a number of sites that represent their biggest customers, including animal agriculture, which uses nearly 98 percent of U.S. soy meal, and the food industry, which uses two-thirds of U.S. soy oil. Participants will also visit sites that demonstrate the importance of farmers' freedom to operate.

"Many past See forYourself participants say they had no idea the checkoff works for soybean farmers in as many ways as it does," Hartke says. "Additionally, participants have the chance to provide feedback directly to me and other farmer-leaders on the checkoff programs they learn about. Hearing from farmers is one of the best ways we can evaluate checkoff investments."

The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

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