Missouri farmer-leader appointed as chair of the national soybean checkoff
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Farmer-leaders of the United Soybean Board (USB) elected Meagan Kaiser as the 2023 Chair and nine additional grower directors to serve on the Executive Committee during the USB December Meeting in St. Charles, Missouri.
“During my tenure at United Soybean Board, I’m proudest of our achievements in engagement for infrastructure investments,” said USB Chair Meagan Kaiser from Bowling Green, Missouri. “As we’ve seen production and transportation challenges brought on by drought this past growing season, farmers’ investments to the checkoff are more critical than ever in enhancing resilience on the farm, building preference for U.S. Soy and providing a reliable supply to our customers. I’m impressed with the strategic direction of our board, and I look forward to working as a collaborative leader alongside our farmer-leaders who represent more than 30 states.”
Kaiser brings significant experience and first-hand knowledge of USB’s strategic focus. She previously served as Strategic Plan Task Force Chair and oversaw a nearly 20-member committee that created the current strategic plan that prioritizes sustainable soy solutions for global and domestic customers while ensuring value and profitability for U.S. soybean farmers. Approved at the 2021 USB July Meeting with unanimous support, the Strategic Plan Task Force served a critical role in creating the plan, engaging farmer-leaders and value chain partners and ensuring it reflected the future state of the industry.
“Meagan is a true visionary and leader in our industry,” said Gary Wheeler, Missouri Soybeans CEO and executive director. “Meagan has made an excellent spokesperson for Missouri agriculture and the soybean sector. I am proud to see her selected by her peers as Chair for USB and I know she will serve her fellow farmers well.”
Kaiser previously served as Vice Chair, leading the Value Alignment Committee, in addition to Treasurer and various other appointments within the organization.
“Meagan’s commitment to USB bodes well for what’s ahead under her leadership to make 2023 a memorable year for the checkoff,” said USB CEO Polly Ruhland. “This past year, growth in renewable diesel, investments in climate smart agriculture, challenges across our infrastructure ecosystem and global conflicts tested the capability of U.S. agriculture. Our farmer-leaders are dedicated to moving strategically sound projects forward that generate a lasting ROI for our soybean growers.”
United Soybean Board’s 77 volunteer farmer-leaders work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. These volunteers create value by investing in research, education and promotion with the vision to deliver sustainable soy solutions to every life, every day across the three priority areas of Infrastructure & Connectivity, Health & Nutrition, and Innovation & Technology. 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. For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit unitedsoybean.org.
