Agricultural News
Oklahoma Soybean Growers Join US Soybean Federation
Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:46:03 CDT
The U.S. Soybean Federation (USSF) announces two new state affiliates--the Minnesota Soybean Federation (MSF) and the Oklahoma Soybean Federation (OSF). The USSF Board of Directors also announces recently elected new officers.
Stepping into the position of president is Jerry Slocum, a soybean farmer from Coldwater, Miss. "I'm proud to serve as an advocate for my fellow soybean farmers on policy issues at the national level," says Slocum. "These days we can't have enough voices in our nation's capital speaking on behalf of agriculture and farmers."
Joining Slocum on the USSF Executive Committee are Brian Greenslit, vice president and a soybean farmer from Franklin, Minn.; Greg Anderson, secretary/treasurer and a soybean farmer from Newman Grove, Neb.; and Warren Stemme, chairman and a soybean farmer from Chesterfield, Mo.
USSF was formed in 2009 with a mission of ensuring U.S. soybean producers and the soybean industry are provided the maximum opportunity for success in the global marketplace through policy and advocacy efforts. The organization represents all U.S. soybean farmers and focuses resources on advocacy efforts. Membership is comprised primarily of state organizations, not individual members.
"We created the Minnesota Soybean Federation with one objective in mind--to be affiliated with an organization that's fully committed to protecting the integrity of the current national soybean checkoff," said Greenslit, who also serves as MSF president. "One of the things that sets U.S. soybean farmers apart from our competitors around the globe is the power of partnership and industry collaboration that comes with our soybean checkoff program."
Greenslit also notes that the MSF board of directors is committed to coordinating efforts with all soybean organizations at the state and national level.
In addition to issues related to the national soybean checkoff program, USSF is focused on potential climate change legislation. The board recently funded a program to study the potential impacts of the various proposed climate change regulations on U.S. soybean farmers.
"Oklahoma soybean farmers have challenges that are unique to those of us in the South," says Jay Franklin, a soybean farmer from Vinita, Okla., and OSF director. "Because USSF allows for equal representation regardless of a state's production size, we're able to ensure the voice of our farmers is heard."
The USSF Board of Directors will meet again this summer where it will review additional policy objectives moving forward. While OSF has already been accepted as a USSF member, MSF will formally be accepted at that time.
The U.S. Soybean Federation represents all U.S. soybean farmers with a mission of ensuring U.S. soybean producers and the soybean industry are provided the maximum opportunity for success in the global marketplace through policy and advocacy efforts.
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