Checkoff Sponsors NFU Farmer Leadership Program

The National Farmers Union (NFU), one of the two biggest general farm organizations in the United States, introduced a new national program to develop leadership and farm management skills for men and women starting out in farming. The United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff helped co-sponsor the event, held in mid September.

The NFU Beginning Farmer Institute, took place in Washington, D.C., and concentrated on building confidence and farm management skills in beginning farmers and farm couples. It also encouraged them to learn and apply leadership abilities to become actively involved in community farm, commodity association and checkoff organizations. NFU used educational sessions, business tools and professional speakers in a structured setting, yet avoids the simple “classroom” workshop feel to achieve this goal. Training included on-farm experiences and tours of cooperatives.

As part of the soybean checkoff’s co-sponsorship, Russ Carpenter, USB Communications program chair and soybean farmer from Trumansburg, N.Y., addressed the approximately 25 farmers from around the country that attended the program. Carpenter discussed such things as why the soybean checkoff exists, how it allows soybean farmers to be major players in the global soy industry and also shared his personal farm management tips he practices on his New York State crop and beef farm. The event allowed USB to network with new farmers and further demonstrated USB’s commitment to reaching out to all value chain partners.

To learn more about NFU and the Beginning Farmer Institute, click here.