Soybean Growers Named to Help Lead National Organization

Four soybean farmer-leaders from Iowa and Illinois have been recognized for their efforts by being named to national positions on the United Soybean Board (USB) and the American Soybean Association (ASA) executive committees.

For USB, Jim Stillman of Emmetsburg, IA was elected to serve as treasurer and Phil Bradshaw of Griggsville, Ill., was elected chairman. For ASA, Ray Gaesser of Corning, IA was renamed to the executive board and Ron Kindred of Atlanta, Ill., was re-elected secretary.

USB is made up of 68 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply.

Stillman is currently serving his second three-year term on the USB board, the national organization representing the soybean checkoff.  In addition to serving on the USB executive board, he will again serve on the Domestic Marketing Committee, of which he has been a member for the past four years. He has recently been appointed to board of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC).  Stillman also continues to serve on the Soy Nutrition Institute (SNI) board and the Qualisoy board, organizations which include both industry and USB representatives.

Bradshaw and his son farm about 900 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat near his home in Pike County. His family also raises hogs. He previously served as USB vice chairman. He is the past chairman of the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) and the World Soy Foundation. He also serves as a board member of QUALISOY and the U.S. Soybean Export Council. Bradshaw is a member of the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) and is a past chairman of the Illinois Soybean Program Operating Board, Illinois Pork Producers Association and the United States Animal Health Association.

ASA represents all U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international issues of importance to the soybean industry. ASA’s advocacy efforts are made possible through the voluntary membership in ASA by more than 22,500 farmers in 31 states where soybeans are grown.

Gaesser is in the third year of his first three-year term on the ASA board. ASA is the membership organization representing the policy needs of soybean growers in Washington, D.C. Gaesser is a member of the ASA Public Affairs Committee, the Finance Committee and the Investment Committee, serving as chair of the Investment Committee.  He is also an ISA director and was the state president in 2006-2007.

Kindred and his farming partner, Gregg Hainline, farm 2,100 acres of corn and soybeans near Kindred’s home in Logan County. He also has a small cow-calf operation. Kindred has served on the ASA board for about six years, including one year as secretary and one year as a vice president. He also has been active on the Illinois Soybean Association board, having served as secretary, vice chairman and legislative chairman. He currently serves as one of six ISA at large directors.