Randy Stabler showcased soybean production on his farm to eleven international soybean buyers and users while visiting the region.
Directors from the Delaware and Maryland Soybean Boards hosted soybean buyers and users from Northern Europe on their farms last week to promote U.S. soy, as part of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) Soy Connext summit. In its second year, Soy Connext hosted more than 700 participants, including international customers from 58 countries together with U.S. Soy farmers, related food and agriculture industry professionals, commodity exporters and others to discuss today’s global economy and the need for collaborative efforts among those who grow, sell and choose U.S. Soy.
“Building relationships with international buyers and users upholds a strong soybean market in the Mid-Atlantic region,” states Delaware Soybean Board Chair Cory Atkins of Cory’s Produce. “While a majority of soybeans grown on the Delmarva are utilized locally, the demand for exports supports builds value for our beans.”
Soybean buyers and users from Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Poland, and the United Kingdom had the opportunity to visit diverse operations in the two states, including Emerson Farms in Middletown, DE, Cory’s Produce in Laurel, DE, and Pleasant Valley Farm in Brookeville, MD. During these visits, the group discussed the region’s animal agriculture markets, soybean production and utilization, sustainability, urban encroachment, and more. During their trip, they enjoyed trying local treats as well, including Delaware-churned ice cream and Maryland blue crabs.
“I enjoy having groups out to my farm and sharing with them what we do here,” says Maryland Soybean Board Director Randy Stabler of Pleasant Valley Farm. “But we also learn from them and are able to recognize trends that affect our markets worldwide.”
About Delaware Soybean Board: Delaware farmers plant about 160,000 acres of soybeans annually, producing over seven million bushels of beans and generating approximately $60 million in value to the state. The Delaware Soybean Board consists of nine farmer-directors and the Secretary of Agriculture. Funded through a one-half of one percent assessment on the net market value of soybeans at their first point of sale, the checkoff works with partners in the value chain to identify and capture opportunities that increase farmer profit potential. See more at www.desoybeans.org.
About Maryland Soybean Board: In Maryland, farmers grow about 500,000 acres of soybeans, producing more than 20 million bushels of beans each year. With a value of $173 million to the state’s economy, soybeans are one of Maryland’s top crops. The checkoff program is funded by farmers through an assessment of 0.5% of 1% of the net market value of their soybeans at the first point of sale. One-half of the checkoff funds stay in Maryland for programs; the other half is sent to the United Soybean Board. See more at www.mdsoy.com.
For More Information Contact:
Danielle Bauer
Delaware Soybean Board, Maryland Soybean Board
Executive Director
443-812-4526
Danielle@desoybeans.org, Danielle@mdsoy.com