1/25 Two Maryland farmers have been named to key posts on the United Soybean Board, the all-farmer agency which administers the national soybean checkoff program.
Mark Eck of Henderson has been appointed vice chairman of the board’s New Uses Committee.
Eck also will serve as a member of the Budget and Finance Committee.
E. Glenn Holland, who farms on the Maryland-Virginia border near Pocomoke, is serving on the board’s Production Committee. He recently was confirmed by USDA Secretary Dan Glickman to a second three-year USB term.
Eck and Holland were in St. Louis, Mo., in mid-December as the 62 farmers from 29 major soybean-producing states,who make up the USB membership, gathered to adopt targeted strategic initiatives to improve the bottom line for U.S. soybean growers.
Their discussions touched on the biotechnology debate, how to avoid international trade barriers, improving the composition of U.S. soybeans, the development of more bio-based products, the promotion of soyfoods in a healthful diet and the resolution of transportation infrastructure problems.
Under the congressionally mandated soybean checkoff program. U.S. producers “invest” one-half of one percent, or 50 cents on every $100, of the price they receive for their beans at the first point of sale. The money is used by state soybean boards and the USB to support market development, research and educational programs and projects both at home and across the globe.