Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board   19 April 2010

Promotion Board is seeking nominations to serve on the United Soybean Board (USB)
Soybean farmers interested in serving as one of two Tennessee producers on the United Soybean Board should request an application from the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board in Jackson.  We are seeking a nomination for a three year term beginning December of this year.  A director is eligible for three terms. 

Success for soybean farmers in today's market takes more than just a good harvest.  Increasing demand for soybeans is an essential part of the equation.  The soybean checkoff helps facilitate market growth and creation by funding and directing marketing, research and commercialization programs.  By building demand both at home and abroad, the soybean checkoff helps ensure a strong and profitable future for U.S. soybean farmers.  The United Soybean Board administers the soybean research & promotion checkoff at the national level.  The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture makes the appointments to the United Soybean Board.  Sixty-eight farmers from all U.S. soybean-producing states and regions serve on the board.  

The Directors of the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board will select a primary nominee and an alternate nominee for the board seat.  The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture will make the final appointment.  Soybean producers interested in the position can request an application from the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board, 100 Executive Drive, Jackson, TN 38305-2319 or call 731-668-2850.  Applications are due at the office no later than May 3, 2010.  For additional information please check the USDA website at www.ams.usda.gov/AMS under Industry Marketing and Promotion, Soybeans. 

The Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board (TSPB) is the Qualified State Soybean Board (QSSB) for Tennessee producers in the national checkoff program. TSPB promotes the growth and development of our state's soybean industry by investing checkoff funds in research, advertisement, promotion, education, and market development. The board membership is composed of nine soybean producers from across the state. The Tennessee Soybean Association, the Tennessee Farmers Co-Operative, and the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation each make three nominations to the Commissioner of Agriculture who selects one member from each nomination list. Board members are selected for three-year terms with the limitation of two consecutive terms. TSPB members are prohibited from using checkoff funds for lobbying purposes.

The Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council (TSPC) is responsible for managing the day to day operations of the soybean programs of both TSPB and TSA. The Council is composed of the chairman and vice chairman of the TSPB, the president and vice president of the TSA, the Tennessee director of the American Soybean Association, and the Tennessee directors of the United Soybean Board.

The Tennessee Soybean Association (TSA) is a membership organization concerned with state, national, and international policies that affect soybean producer profits in Tennessee. TSA is affiliated with the American Soybean Association (ASA) in St. Louis, Missouri. Members work with state and national legislators in designing trade laws and regulations to enhance our ability to continue making a profit in the production of soybeans.