Meet USB’s 2012 Chair

A soybean farmer from Colfax, N.D., leads the national soybean checkoff

Vanessa Kummer, a soybean farmer from Colfax, N.D., has been elected by her fellow farmer-directors to lead the United Soybean Board (USB).

Kummer, who officially took the reins immediately after the balloting Dec. 6, was elected chair as the national soybean checkoff marks its 20th anniversary and looks to the future.

“Now is a pivotal time for the U.S. soy industry as it continues to evolve in an ever-changing world,” Kummer said after her election. “I’m honored to help lead a group of farmer-volunteers who are so dedicated to enhancing the opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers to be profitable.”

USB farmer-directors are focused on implementing strategic objectives that focus on four key areas: improving U.S. soybean meal and oil, helping ensure U.S. soybean farmers have the freedom and adequate transportation infrastructure to operate, and meeting the needs of U.S. soy customers at home and abroad.

In addition, USB has made supporting the biggest domestic user of soy, U.S. poultry, livestock and fish farmers, its top priority.

Kummer replaces Marc Curtis as chair, a soybean farmer from Leland, Miss. She wills serve a one-year term, and is the first woman elected to chair the national soybean checkoff.

Other elected members of Executive Committee include:

•    Jim Stillman, Emmetsburg, Iowa as Vice Chair;
•    Jim Call, Madison, Minn., as Secretary;
•    Bob Haselwood, Berryton, Kan., as Treasurer;
•    Lewis Bainbridge, Ethan, S.D.
•    Russ Carpenter, Trumansburg, N.Y.
•    Sharon Covert, Tiskilwa, Ill.
•    Jim Schriver, Montpelier, Ind.
•    Jimmy Sneed, Hernando, Miss.
•    Rick Stern, Cream Ridge, N.J.