Two soybean farmers picked for national boards
Two North Carolina soybean farmers have been selected to serve on national boards.
Derek Potter, a farmer from Grantsboro is one of 15 farmer-leaders from across the country recently sworn in as a director of the United Soybean Board .
Jimmy Thomas, a soybean producer from Timberlake, and 10 other farmer-leaders from across the country recently became directors of the American Soybean Association. .
The 70 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for U.S. soybean farmers.
These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, ensure soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and meet the needs of U.S. soy’s customers. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibility for USB and the soy checkoff.
ASA board members oversee the efforts of the ASA, the organization that helps make sure soybean farmers remain competitive and profitable, protecting their right to farm, by making sure their voice is heard when issues that impact them are debated and created on Capitol Hill.
“We are pleased that Derek Potter was appointed by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to serve on the United Soybean Board,” said Charles Hall, CEO of the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association. “The checkoff works to ensure U.S. soy remain a top choice for our customers, and he will be a great addition to the group and will represent N.C. well.
“Jimmy Thomas has been a longtime asset to the N.C. Soybean Producers Association,” Hall added. “As a past president of our organization, he has been involved in policy and advocacy efforts for many years, and will provide a strong voice for N.C. soybean growers on the ASA board and in Washington, D.C.”
The N.C. Soybean Producers Association is a statewide trade association representing all N.C. soybean producers, responsible for research, education and promotion programs to benefit the state’s soybean farmers. The association is the qualified state board responsible for administering national soybean checkoff programs in N.C. The association is the state affiliate of the ASA.
