The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture appointed three Wisconsin soybean farmers to serve on the United Soybean Board. USB is the farmer-led organization that directs investments of soybean checkoff dollars into research, market development, and promotion efforts that benefit soybean growers.
Tony Mellenthin of Eau Galle, Danny Brisky of Columbus, and Andy Bensend of Dallas begin their three-year terms immediately.
“We look forward to the continued leadership of Tony on the executive committee at USB,” says Jonathan Gibbs, president of the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board. “We’re excited for Danny and Andy, who will be strong representatives of Wisconsin’s soybean farmers.”
USB is composed of 77 farmer-directors representing 29 soybean-producing states and two regional at-large seats. Each year, the Secretary of Agriculture appoints about one-third of the board from nominees submitted by Qualified State Soybean Boards.
“I’m proud to continue to serve Wisconsin’s soybean farmers at the national level,” Mellenthin says. “I’m also blessed to have voted by my peers onto the executive committee for USB.”
Through the soybean checkoff, farmers invest one-half of one percent of the market value of a bushel sold to fund research, education, and market development initiatives designed to create new uses for soy, strengthen demand, and improve farmer profitability. The board’s work spans areas including animal nutrition, human food, industrial uses, sustainability, and international market access.
