Release No.: 027-15

Contact:

Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 660-2268

samuel.jones@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Feb.27, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for positions on the United Soybean Board.

Vacancies for producer member positions will occur in Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Virginia. There are alternate vacancies in Georgia and in the Western Region.

Any soybean producer within the United States that owns or shares the ownership and risk of loss of soybeans can be considered for nomination. All eligible producers are invited to seek nomination by April 24, 2015. A soybean producer must be nominated by a Qualified State Soybean Board and submit a completed application.

USDA encourages board membership that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by its industry. Diversity includes gender, race, disability, length of service, and size and type of operation.

For a copy of the nomination form and the contact information of the Qualified State Soybean Board in your state or region, visit: www.ams.usda.gov/SoybeanPage.

Composed of 70 members representing 31 states and regions, the Board administers a research and promotion program authorized by the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act. The Secretary of Agriculture selects appointees from producers nominated by Qualified State Soybean Boards.

Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, were authorized by Congress and date back to 1966. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 22 research and promotion boards. They empower agricultural industries by establishing a framework for them to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides oversight, helping to ensure fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.

For more information, contact James Brow, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Research and Promotion Division, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program, AMS, USDA, STOP 0251, Room 2610-S, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0251; tel. (202) 720-0633, e-mail James.Brow@ams.usda.gov; or fax (202) 720-1125.

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