FRANKENMUTH, Mich. — The Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee (MSPC) recognizes the critical role farmers and board members play in their organization’s success and the success of the entire industry. They also recognize that in today’s challenging environment it is vitally important to identify and develop current and future farmer leaders. With that in mind, here are four upcoming opportunities you may be interested in. For more information on any of these, call USS.SOY.MICH (877.769.6424) or email gfrahm@michigansoybean.org.
United Soybean Board (USB):
Michigan is entitled to three positions on USB. Each seat holds a three-year term effective in December and is appointed by the USDA Secretary of Agriculture. We have one position up for reappointment this spring (current director is Herb Miller from Niles) and we must submit two names for consideration. The “Application” and “Agreement to Serve” documents are available by request. March 6 is the deadline for these two short documents to be completed and submitted.
See for Yourself (SfY):
This is a USB organized opportunity that takes place in mid-late August and is about a five-day trip that allows participants to see where their soybeans go beyond the elevator. The program is aimed at soybean farmers 18 years or older who have had little to no prior involvement with soybean organizations. Applications are done online at www.unitedsoybean.org and are due April 1. Approximately 10 people are selected by USB for this domestic and international overview of where soybeans go.
Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee (MSPC):
Applications are now being accepted for two positions on the MSPC. These are each three-year terms effective late September. The two open positions this year include District 1 (Berrien, Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties – current director is Sarah Peterson from Niles) and District 3 (Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Washtenaw and Wayne counties – current director is Laurie Isley from Palmyra). Both directors can seek reappointment by the Governor, but we must submit two names for each position. Deadline to apply is July 24.
Ag Leader Source Online Training Modules:
Any Michigan soybean farmer can gain access to these training modules including topics such as “Good Governance: Roles and Responsibilities of a Board Member,” “Parliamentary Procedures,” “Financial Oversight,” “Strategic Agendas,” “Team Effectiveness” and “Strategic and Performance Management.”
While many of the online modules are geared toward developing existing soybean board members, any soybean farmer can use these modules. Training sessions are available under the “New Board Member,” Current Board Member” and “Recruiting Board Member” sections of the site.
Soybean farmers can register for the Ag Leader Source modules by visiting www.agleadersource.com. For more information about the site, contact Linda Snell at lsnell@lblstrategies.com or 847.274.3061.
This information is brought to you by the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee. Our mission is to manage checkoff resources to increase return on investment for Michigan soybean farmers while enhancing sustainable soybean production. You can find out more about the soybean checkoff by visiting www.michigansoybean.org.
— Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee and Michigan Soybean Association
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