U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the appointment of 34 farmer-directors and two alternates to the United Soybean Board (USB).

Eighteen of these farmer-leaders have been reappointed to the national checkoff board and bring back several years of experience in helping provide profit opportunities to all U.S. soybean farmers through farmer-driven U.S. soy research and promotion efforts. The 16 new board members bring a wealth of experience and perspective from working with their state soybean checkoff boards and other sectors of the U.S. soybean industry.

“We’re always very pleased to get such highly qualified people who are willing to donate their time to benefit all U.S. soybean farmers,” said USB Chairman Phil Bradshaw, a soybean farmer from Griggsville, Ill. “It’s critical for those on the board to have a thorough knowledge of the soy industry. Our directors bring diverse backgrounds and expertise in the areas that the checkoff funds, and I’m sure that’s the case again this year.”

Appointed farmer-leaders include:

• Russell M. Smith, Ark.

• Richard F. Carlisle, Del.

• Richard J. Stern Jr., Eastern Region*

• Philip E. Bradshaw, Ill.*

• Sharon L. Covert, Ill.*

• James E. Schriver, Ind. *

• Roger W. Hadley II, Ind.

• Delbert J. Christensen, Iowa

• Robert N. Haselwood, Kan.*

• Ronald R. Ohlde, Kan.

• Jules K. Bordelon, La.

• Granville S. (Steve) Moore, Md.*

• Mary Lou Smith, Mich.*

• James E. Wilson, Mich.

• James B. Willers, Minn.

• Robin H. Hanks, Minn.*

• Marcus S. Curtis, Miss.*

• Richard L. Fordyce, Mo.*

• Gregg A. Fujan, Neb.

• Michael S. Thede, Neb.*

• Jacob J. Parker, N.C.

• Joel M. Thorsrud, N.D.*

• Jared C. Hagert, N.D.*

• Russell R. Carpenter, N.Y.*

• Dale L. Profit, Ohio*

• Keith L. Kemp, Ohio

• Larry E. Davis, Okla.

• William L. Beam, Pa.*

• Douglas R. Hanson, S.D.

• John H. Dodson, Tenn.

• Keith M. Dunn, Va.*

• Ross A. Waterman, Western Region*

• Robert A. Derr, Wis.

• Nancy Kavazanjian, Wis.

• Dallas R. Wright, Del. (alternate director)

• Todd O. DuMond, N.Y. (alternate director)

*Indicates returning director.

All appointees will be sworn in on Dec. 8 when USB will hold its annual meeting in St. Louis and will serve three-year terms. Qualified State Soybean Boards nominated all of the soybean farmers selected by the agriculture secretary to serve on USB.