Iowans help lead national soybean organizations
Two Iowa soybean farmer-leaders have been recognized for their efforts by being named to national positions on the United Soybean Board (USB) and the American Soybean Association (ASA) executive committees. Jim Stillman of Emmetsburg was recently elected to serve as treasurer of USB and Ray Gaesser of Corning was renamed to the executive board of ASA.
“Iowa is very fortunate to have these two soybean farmer leaders serving on the executive committees of both national organizations,” commented Delbert Christensen, Audubon soybean grower and Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) president. “They will represent Iowa soybean producers well within these organizations.”
Stillman is currently serving his second three-year term on the USB board, the national organization representing the soybean checkoff. In addition to serving on the USB executive board, he will again serve on the Domestic Marketing Committee, of which he has been a member for the past four years. He has recently been appointed to board of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC). Stillman also continues to serve on the Soy Nutrition Institute (SNI) board and the Qualisoy board, organizations which include both industry and USB representatives.
USB is made up of 68 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply.
Stillman will serve on the USB executive committee with Chairman Phil Bradshaw of Illinois, Vice Chairman Marc Curtis of Mississippi, Secretary Todd Allen of Arkansas, Vanessa Kummer of North Dakota, Lewis Bainbridge of South Dakota, Marty Ross of Delaware, Jim Call of Minnesota, Vicki Coughlin of Wisconsin and Rick Stern of New Jersey.
Gaesser is in the third year of his first three-year term on the ASA board. ASA is the membership organization representing the policy needs of soybean growers in Washington, D.C. Gaesser is a member of the ASA Public Affairs Committee, the Finance Committee and the Investment Committee, serving as chair of the Investment Committee. He is also an ISA director and was the state president in 2006-2007.
ASA represents all U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international issues of importance to the soybean industry. ASA’s advocacy efforts are made possible through the voluntary membership in ASA by more than 22,500 farmers in 31 states where soybeans are grown.
Gaesser will be serving on the ASA executive committee with President Rob Joslin of Ohio, Chairman Johnny Dodson of Tennessee, First Vice President Alan Kemper of Indiana, Secretary Ron Kindred of Illinois, Treasurer Joe Steiner of Ohio and Vice Presidents Randy Mann of Kentucky, Steve Wellman of Nebraska and Danny Murphy of Mississippi.
Additionally, John Hoffman, a soybean farmer from Waterloo, was recognized as he completed his term on the ASA board. Hoffman was the president of ASA in 2008 and served as chairman of the board in 2009. He also served on the ISA board from 1998 to 2007.
“We thank John for his years of service to Iowa’s and America’s soybean farmers,” Christensen said. “Though he is retiring from this board, we look forward to his remaining actively involved in the soybean industry.”
