ANNAPOLIS, MD – June 10, 2025 – The Maryland Soybean Board (MSB) last week announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Animal Health and Production (DAHP) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This significant agreement, signed during the trade team’s visit to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, marks a commitment to foster greater cooperation and strengthen trade relations between Maryland’s soybean industry and Vietnamese partners.

This strategic MOU, effective June 6, 2025, through December 2027, builds on an existing strong trade relationship, specifically aiming to foster robust business linkages and mutual agricultural development centered on Maryland soybeans and soy-based products between Maryland and Vietnam.

“Exports to growing markets like Vietnam are incredibly valuable to Maryland’s soybean industry, providing crucial demand and strengthening farm profitability,” said Maryland Soybean Board Director Tyler Rill, who signed the MOU on behalf of the organization. “This MOU is a strategic step to further cultivate these essential trade relationships and expand opportunities for our farmers and the broader agricultural sector.”

Director General Duong Tat Thang of the Department of Animal Health and Production signed the MOU on behalf of Vietnam.

This initiative highlights the Maryland Soybean Board’s ongoing dedication to promoting the growth and sustainability of the state’s soybean industry, fostering international partnerships that expand access to vital markets and contribute to mutual agricultural development.

About the Maryland Soybean Board: The Maryland Soybean Board directs the national soybean checkoff program within the state. MSB’s Board of Directors is made up of ten soybean farmers, each appointed for a three-year term, along with ex-officio members representing agribusiness, the Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the University of Maryland. Directors represent local soybean farmers as they serve on the board. The number of Directors serving each region is determined by the soybean production of the region.

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For More Information:
Danielle Bauer Farace, Executive Director
Maryland Soybean Board
443-812-4526  |  danielle@mdsoy.com
www.mdsoy.com

The Maryland Soybean Board (MSB) is now accepting proposals for projects that promote and communicate the value of soybeans and soybean farming across the state. Funded through the soybean checkoff, these projects are designed to enhance profitability for Maryland soybean producers by supporting initiatives that align with the Board’s strategic priorities.

Proposal topics may address any of MSB’s identified priority areas, including animal agriculture, consumer education, emerging markets, and farmer engagement. Applicants are encouraged to submit innovative ideas that will make a significant impact, even if the proposal does not fall directly under the above categories.

“Each year, we seek proposals that deliver value to Maryland’s soybean growers,” explains Maryland Soybean Board Chair Eddie Boyle. “This is an exciting opportunity for educators, communicators, and innovators to collaborate with us and help advance the future of Maryland agriculture.”

Projects selected for funding will begin October 1, 2025, and must be completed by September 30, 2026. Interested individuals and organizations must submit proposals using MSB’s official application template by July 21, 2025. For more information or assistance with the application process, contact MSB’s Executive Director Danielle Bauer Farace at danielle@mdsoy.com.

In Maryland, farmers grow approximately half a million acres of soybeans, yielding over 20 million bushels of beans each year. With a value of $173 million to the state’s economy, soybeans rank among Maryland’s top crops. The checkoff program is funded by farmers through an assessment of one-half of one percent of the net market value of their soybeans at the first point of sale. Half of the checkoff funds stay in Maryland for programs; the other half is sent to the United Soybean Board.

For more information on the United Soybean Board visit www.unitedsoybean.org, or on the Maryland Soybean Board, visit www.mdsoy.com.

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For More Information:
Danielle Bauer Farace, Executive Director
Maryland Soybean Board
443-812-4526  |  danielle@mdsoy.com
www.mdsoy.com

The Maryland Soybean Board (MSB) has announced its FY25 funding allocations, investing $375,000 in projects to drive innovation, improve on-farm profitability, and build consumer confidence in the soybean industry. Funding is made possible through the soybean checkoff program, with farmer-led investments supporting a wide range of local priorities.

MSB approved $184,559 this year to support eleven research projects addressing timely production challenges and exploring new technologies and best practices for soybean growers.

Highlights include precision irrigation management to optimize water use on soybean fields; the timing of cover crop termination to examine impacts on slugs, roots, and soybean development; variety trials, maturity group studies, and planting date evaluations to aid in decision-making; as well as assessments of fungicide profitability, deer repellent strategies, nematode management, and more.

“Our board is committed to funding research that delivers actionable results to Maryland farmers,” said Eddie Boyle, Chair of the Maryland Soybean Board. “We’re investing in proven researchers evaluating innovative approaches to strengthen soybean production under local growing conditions.”

Beyond research, MSB’s FY25 budget supports a wide range of outreach and market development initiatives. These include promoting animal agriculture, which remains the largest market for Maryland soybeans, along with building new markets overseas. Funding also backs consumer education programs that foster public trust in agriculture and highlight soy-based products’ environmental benefits and versatility. Additionally, MSB is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders through youth engagement and support for educational opportunities such as agricultural fairs, career exploration, and on-farm learning experiences.

“In tough years, it’s more important than ever that every checkoff dollar works as hard as our farmers do. We’re focused on strategic investments that deliver real returns—whether it’s through better yields, stronger markets, or building trust with consumers. That’s how we maximize the value of the checkoff and support our growers when they need it most,” remarked Boyle.

All projects are reviewed and selected by a board of local farmers, ensuring that checkoff investments directly reflect the needs and priorities of Maryland’s soybean producers. A full list of funded projects is available upon request.

In Maryland, farmers grow approximately half a million acres of soybeans, yielding over 20 million bushels of beans each year. With a value of $173 million to the state’s economy, soybeans rank among Maryland’s top crops. The checkoff program is funded by farmers through an assessment of one-half of one percent of the net market value of their soybeans at the first point of sale. Half of the checkoff funds stay in Maryland for programs; the other half is sent to the United Soybean Board.

For more information on the United Soybean Board visit www.unitedsoybean.org, or on the Maryland Soybean Board, visit www.mdsoy.com.

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For More Information:
Danielle Bauer Farace, Executive Director
Maryland Soybean Board
443-812-4526  |  danielle@mdsoy.com
www.mdsoy.com

With the 2024 harvest season already underway in parts of the state, the Maryland Soybean Board is requesting research proposals for the next growing season. Funded by the soybean checkoff, proposals should focus on increasing profitability of Maryland soybean farmers. Pre-proposals, including project concepts and a brief narrative, must be submitted by October 15, 2024.

“Dry weather this summer emphasized the need for growers to be as efficient as possible to maximize yields,” says MSB Research Committee Chair Dale Brown. “Research in the areas of variety development, nematodes, weed and pest control, drought management, cover crops, and disease control can help us to boost production.”

Detailed priorities, along with research guidelines may be found by visiting https://www.mdsoy.com/research/. New this year, all pre-proposals must be submitted through the Maryland Soybean Board’s project management platform. Interested applications may contact Executive Director Danielle Farace for access to the platform. Continuations of previously funded research projects are not required to complete a pre-proposal. Those invited to submit a full proposal will be notified in early November.

In their 2024 fiscal year, MSB approved nearly $190,000 in funding for research projects that addressed weed and pest issues, evaluated new technologies, and more. Details of funded projects can be found on the Soybean Research Information network, https://soybeanresearchinfo.com/.

Project selections will be made by the farmer-leaders who volunteer their time to serve as Directors on the Board. MSB administers soybean checkoff funds for soybean research, marketing and education programs in the state. It is funded by farmers through an assessment of one-half of one percent of the net market value of soybeans at their 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.

Maryland farmers grow about half a million acres of soybeans, producing more than 20 million bushels of beans each year. With a value of nearly $200 million to the state’s economy, soybeans are one of Maryland’s top crops. For more information on MSB, visit www.mdsoy.com.

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For More Information:
Danielle Bauer Farace, Executive Director
Maryland Soybean Board
443-812-4526  |  danielle@mdsoy.com
www.mdsoy.com