How does the soy checkoff work for you? See for Yourself

USB invites soybean farmers from across the country to apply for the 6th annual program

Ten U.S. soybean farmers will once again take part in an educational program with stops in St. Louis and a location abroad this summer as part of the United Soybean Board’s (USB) See for Yourself program.

See for Yourself offers farmers the chance to see the soy checkoff in action and evaluate a wide range of checkoff activities. The 2013 session will take place July 21–27.

“See for Yourself is truly exceptional” said David Hartke, chair of the USB Audit and Evaluation committee, which sponsors See for Yourself. “Farmer-participants have the chance to see the activities of their checkoff up close, and draw their own conclusions at the same time. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The soy checkoff invites all soybean farmers from around the country to apply. The application deadline is April 1.

Selected farmer-participants will visit several sites that demonstrate the soy checkoff’s efforts to improve 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 customers.

Participants will first meet in St. Louis, headquarters of USB, to receive an overview of the organization and see how the checkoff works on behalf of soybean farmers domestically. The group will then travel to a location abroad to learn about the demand for U.S. soy internationally and to see some of the many uses for soy. Examples of what participants might see include the use of biodiesel at a major airport, the importance of soy to animal agriculture and the use of soy by the food industry.  USB will pay for all travel, lodging and meal expenses.

“Having the chance to participate in See for Yourself was very rewarding,” says Cory Atkins, a soybean farmer from Seaford, Del. “This opportunity changed the way I look at soybean production and the checkoff.”

You might also be interested in…

• See For Yourself Recruitment Video
• See For Yourself Memoir