TAKING AN INTEREST

Council election an opportunity to have voice

By Soybean Business Staff

The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) is holding its annual election this spring. For the past several months, the Council has sought candidates to fill five seats spanning the state.

MSR&PC directors serve three-year terms, beginning July 1. The 15 elected farmers wisely direct the investments of soybean checkoff money into developing new uses for soybeans, expanding markets, researching new production practices and technologies and promoting the use of soybeans – all with an eye toward improving profitability for Minnesota soybean farmers.

“Serving on the Council is rewarding and an important step in directing where soybean checkoff investments go,” MSR&PC Vice Chair Tom Frisch said. “A larger pool of candidates gives farmers the chance to vote for someone who will give them a voice on checkoff investments.”

Below is a closer look at the candidates running for the Council. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will mail ballots March 17 to farmers who have voted in past MSR&PC elections or who requested a ballot. Ballots are due back to MDA by Tuesday, April 4.

No ballots will be accepted postmarked after April 4.

District 1, 2 & 3

Bill Zurn, Callaway, Minn., Becker County

Bill grows soybean, corn, sugar beets and wheat on his family farm in Callaway. He farms with his wife, Karolyn, and their two sons, Eric and Nicholas. The Zurns have a total of five children and 13 grandchildren, and all have stayed in agriculture

Bill is the Council’s current District 1, 2 & 3 representative, and was appointed to the United Soybean Board in 2019 before stepping down in 2022. He also serves as president of the Becker Mahnomen Soybean Growers board. He retired from the North Dakota Air Guard after 27 years of service. He’s also a former township supervisor, a director with Lake Park Coop and is a member of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA), Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA), Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers and the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers. From 2008-2010, Bill served as MSGA president.

Bill was appointed to serve four on the years on the Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program Board and the Zurn Farm is now enrolled in the MAWQCP. Bill is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Crookston’s Northwest School of Agriculture and was recognized for his achievements after graduation.

On the Council says, Bill says:

I have served 14 years as an MSR&PC director and six years with MSGA. I was appointed to the United Soybean Board and served on the Demand-Infrastructure Team. My status was always active and pushing for the next benefits to the United States soybean growers. I’m currently promoting the development of the Ag Innovation Campus, which will benefit producers in my districts and throughout Minnesota. I want to expand the soybean markets globally by using the research proving U.S.-grown soybeans have the Essential Amino Acids (EAA) that surpass those in other areas in the world. We need to focus on the all-around protein of northerngrown beans to enhance sales.

I am already helping with these goals by working on committees focusing on biodiesel usage and working with the National Biodiesel Board (now known as the Clean Fuels Alliance America). As a director I will continue to help Minnesota soybean growers reach their goals and showcase U.S. soybeans.

District 4

Patrick O’Leary, Benson, Minn., Swift County

Patrick raises soybeans, corn and swine (contract) grower. He is the Council’s current District 4 representative and served as chair from 2017 to 2019. Patrick also represents MSR&PC on both the United Soybean Board and Northern Soy Marketing. He is a member of MSGA, MCGA and Minnesota Farm Bureau.

On the Council, Patrick says:

As a farmer, it is important to me that we all take an interest in the continued success of agriculture. The promotion of soybeans and development of markets for our soybeans is extremely important in ensuring the continued success of all farmers. It is also necessary that we research and develop soybeans that will not only lead to better yields and profitability for the farmer, but also increase the quality of soybeans for our markets. The wise investment of our checkoff dollars will ensure that Minnesota and the U.S. remain leaders in the soybean industry, keeping our farmers competitive and successful in the global agriculture economy.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support.

BILL ZURN PATRICK O’LEARY

District 5 & 6

Pat Sullivan, Franklin, Minn., Renville County

Pat currently serves as Council secretary and is the District 5 & 6 representative. He is a member of the Renville County Corn and Soybean Growers and MSGA. He serves on the Franklin Fire Department and is an active member of the Sacred Heart Church Cemetery Board.

On the Council, Pat says:

I wish to serve on the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council because the Council plays a large role in addressing future challenges such as marketing, weed, pest and disease management, as well as other issues that affect farmers’ bottom lines. Additionally, the Council plays an important part in export markets and opening new markets for our soybeans. As a Council director, I also have an impact on the types of new uses we explore, and ensuring we always look to do impactful work. I believe being involved in the Council is important because of its professional reputation and the ties we have working with farmers. The Council supports and supplies real science and data to address these issues as well as other issues that may arise.

District 7

Joel Schreurs, Tyler, Minn., Lincoln County

Joel raises soybeans, corn and alfalfa. He serves on numerous agriculture boards, including the Lincoln County Corn and Soybean Growers Association, MSGA, the American Soybean Association, U.S. Soybean Export Council and is past vice chair of the Soy Transportation Coalition.

On the Council, Joel says

Pat Sullivan

I have many years of experience in the soybean industry from serving as a director on county, state, and national boards. With that experience, I hope to work with my fellow directors to utilize and invest your checkoff dollars to the best of my ability. I farm with my daughter, son-in-law and his grandparents which allows me flexibility in my schedule which can be very helpful for a director. You might see that I have served the soybean industry in a variety of roles over the last several years; that is because I care deeply about supporting America’s farmers. I have a particular interest in increasing soybean exports and expanding our market share. I believe I can help advance that goal in this new role. I would appreciate your vote.

District 7

Ron Obermoller, Brewster, Minn., Nobles County

Ron grows soybeans and corn on his operation. He is the Council’s District 7 representative. He recently retired from the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) after more than a decade of service. Ron is a member of MSGA, MCGA and serves on the board of the Minnesota Soybean Processors.

On the Council, Ron says:

Representing Minnesota farmers on the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council has been a privilege. I believe in the power of soybean farmers working together through the checkoff program to accomplish research for the benefit of all soybean producers. I make every effort to be available to my fellow producers and respond to them.