Soy groups elect new leaders


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Soy groups elect new leaders

Kevin Scott is the new president of the American Soybean Association, which among other things, looks after soybean growers’ interests in Washington, D.C. The South Dakota farmer tells Brownfield ASA leaders have a good history with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Designate Tom Vilsack, but will have challenges in getting to know new lawmakers.

“We’re not doing it the same way we have done it in the past with physical contact and going to the offices,” Scott says. “But, that’ll come, so we’re learning.”

Despite a good current soybean market, Scott says the organization’s top priorities are the farm economy and maintaining a strong safety net.

“When beans are $11 or $12, people aren’t as interested in those things,” said Scott, “but being around farming a long time, we know that the farm economy is going to be an issue.”

Illinois Farmer Dan Farney has been elected as the 2021 United Soybean Board Chair.

“I’d really like to see that we continue doing our projects, investing farmer’s checkoff money,” he says. “The reason we do that is to create demand and educate the public and educate farmers.”

He tells Brownfield he’s most looking forward to seeing demand for soy-based products continue to grow. Farney uses PoreShield, a soy-based concrete durability enhancer, as an example…“If we could do something like that to do that and really help our infrastructure last longer and use soybeans to do that, which would be a green renewable product, I think it’s a win-win all the way around,” he says.

There are more than 1,000 soy-based products on the market from plywood, roofing products, and insulation to candles, carpets, and more.

Farney grows soybeans and corn in Morton, Illinois, and has been involved in USB for seven years. He says there are a great group of farmers that serve on the United Soybean Board and he’s proud to be working with them.

Audio: Kevin Scott

Audio: Dan Farney

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