WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2011 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of 19 members and three alternate members to the United Soybean Board.
"These appointees represent a cross section of the soybean industry and I am confident that they will serve the soybean producers well," said Vilsack.
Soybean production is vital to the U.S. economy. In 2010, according to USDA statistics, top producing states included Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana and Nebraska. U.S. soybean exports accounted for 16 percent of the value of all U.S. agricultural exports in 2010.
Appointed Soybean Board members are as follows: Angela M. Dee, Alabama; Robert L. Stobaugh, Arkansas; James L. Stillman, Iowa; Larry K. Marek, Iowa; Dwain L. Ford, Illinois; Michael A. Beard, Indiana; Craig M. Gigstad, Kansas; Keith N. Tapp, Kentucky; Eugene L. Lowe, III, Maryland; R. Alan Moore, Michigan; Scott G. Singlestad, Minnesota; J. Willard Spargo, Missouri; James D. Sneed, Mississippi; Loyd L. Pointer, Nebraska; Daniel J. Corcoran, Ohio; Ellie W. Green, Jr., South Carolina; Robert J. Metz, South Dakota; John R. Butler, Tennessee; and Tom P. Rotello, Sr., Texas.
Alternate members appointed include James P. Buck, Alabama; Scotty J. Herriman, Oklahoma; and Fitzhugh L. Bethea, III, South Carolina.
The 69-member board is authorized by the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act. The Secretary selected the appointees from soybean producers nominated by Qualified State Soybean Boards. All appointees will serve 3-year terms beginning December 2011.
The mandatory soybean research and promotion program is funded at the rate of one-half of one percent of the net market price of the soybeans purchased. The board's goal is to strengthen the position of soybeans in the marketplace and to maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets and uses for soybeans and soybean products. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service oversees the board.
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