Maryland Soybean Board Seeks Innovative Research Proposals
“Priority areas for the board include variety development, nematodes, weed and pest control, drought management, cover crops, and disease control,” says MSB Research Committee Chair Dale Brown. “However, any projects aiming to boost production of Maryland soybean growers will be considered.”
Detailed priorities, along with research guidelines may be found by visiting https://www.mdsoy.com/research/. All pre-proposals must be submitted on the provided application form without any attachments. Researchers submitting proposals to continue previously funded research are not required to complete a pre-proposal. Applicants for which their project was selected for submission of a full proposal will be notified in early November.
In their 2023 fiscal year, MSB approved $194,550 in funding for research projects addressing farmer needs. Projects being completed by researchers from University of Maryland and University of Delaware are evaluating production methods such as planting date, slug control, fungicide efficacy, cover crop management, deer diversion plots, flame-weeding, biological seed treatments, and more. A full list of funded projects and results can be found on the Soybean Research Information network, https://soybeanresearchinfo.com/.
Project selections are 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.
###
For More Information:
Danielle Bauer Farace, Executive Director
Maryland Soybean Board
443-812-4526 | danielle@mdsoy.com
www.mdsoy.com
Maryland Soybean Board Encourages Consumers to “Ask A Farmer”
Consumers are encouraged to “Ask a Farmer” through a series of educational tv commercials featuring Maryland soybean growers, funded by the soy checkoff.
The Maryland Soybean Board has embarked on a new campaign encouraging consumers to “Ask A Farmer” through a series of television commercials. The series of commercials, each featuring a Maryland soybean grower, explain how farmers are using pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), conservation practices, and producing various bio-based products to benefit both consumers and the environment.
“Consumers who are increasingly disconnected from farming have questions about how their food is grown,” says Maryland Soybean Board Chair Joshua Appenzeller. “The goal of the campaign is to provide consumers with a better understanding of modern farming practices used to produce the world’s safest and most abundant food supply.”
The tagline for the campaign, “Have a question about Maryland farms? Don’t ask Google, ask me,” directs viewers to the Maryland Soybean Board’s My Maryland Farmers website, where they can find independent factual information from government agencies, land-grant universities, and other educational resources. While on the site, consumers also have the opportunity to learn about other farmers from all sectors of Maryland agriculture.
Airing now through the end of September, the commercials will be broadcasted on two Baltimore stations (WBAL and WJZ) and three Washington D.C. stations (WRC, WTTG, and WUSA). Air times for commercials will coincide with local news programming to engage with those who are interested in local issues. The Maryland Soybean Board also received support from the Virginia Soybean Association, Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board, and Illinois Soybean Association to purchase additional airtime in the Washington D.C. market. The campaign is expected to reach over 13 million viewers.
Commercials may also be viewed anytime online on the Maryland Soybean Board’s YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@mdsoybeanboard.
About Maryland Soybean Board: The Maryland Soybean Board is funded by the national soybean checkoff program, which assesses one-half of one percent of the net market value of soybeans at the first point of sale. The board consists of ten volunteer farmer-directors and directs funds for research, marketing and education programs to benefit the Maryland soybean industry.
###
For information, contact:
Danielle Bauer Farace
Maryland Soybean Board
Executive Director
443-812-4526
danielle@mdsoy.com
Local Soybean Boards Promote U.S. Soy to International Buyers
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
Maryland Soybean Board Requesting Projects to Promote Soy
The Maryland Soybean Board (MSB) is currently requesting proposals for projects that promote soybeans or their many by-products through July 24. Priority areas identified by MSB include animal agriculture, consumer education, emerging markets, and farmer engagement, however any projects seeking to maximize the profitability of Maryland soybean growers will be accepted.
“The potential uses for soy are endless, and through funded projects, we will demonstrate their value to both farmers and consumers,” says Evan Staley, chair of the board’s Promotion and Communications Committee. “These projects will continue to build on the return of investment Maryland farmers gain from the soy checkoff.”
Funded by the soybean checkoff, projects should be for MSB’s upcoming fiscal year, beginning October 1, 2023, and should focus on soybean use promotion and communication. Applications will be reviewed by the farmer-led Board of Directors and will be selected based on those that provide the greatest benefit to Maryland’s soybean industry. Applications can be found here (Word) (PDF).
Abo
###
For information, contact:
Danielle Bauer Farace
Maryland Soybean Board
Executive Director
443-812-4526
danielle@mdsoy.com
Archives
Maryland Soybean Board to Host Soybean Research Field Day
Local farmers and industry professionals are invited to join the Maryland Soybean Board to learn about checkoff-funded research out in the field on August 11, 2021, at the Wye Research and Education Center. Research to be featured includes a spray drone demonstration,...
Maryland Soybean Board Invests in Production Research
The Maryland Soybean Board is pleased to announce that it has awarded 13 research project grants totaling an investment of $156,753 for 2021 production research. The farmer-led board selected projects that would provide growers with the most current information to...
Maryland Soybean Board Seeking Soybean Promotion Projects
The Maryland Soybean Board is now accepting applications for projects that promote soybeans or its many byproducts. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a proposal by July 14. Projects should be for their upcoming fiscal year, beginning October 1, 2021 and...
Earth Day Celebrations Continue Year-Round for Maryland Soybean Farmers
As many around the globe celebrated Earth Day on April 22nd, Maryland soybean farmers went on with business as usual. That is because for them, every day is Earth Day. Maryland farmers are leading the nation in implementing climate-smart agricultural practices to...
Five Tips for MidAtlantic Motorists to Stay Safe this Growing Season
The proactive safety campaign offers tips, advice and warnings that could save lives. Each year, spring brings an increased number of tractors and other farm equipment to roadways across the state. It also brings a higher number of accidents that can often be...
Volunteer Farm Women Connect to Correct Misinformation about Farming and Food
Family farms on Delmarva, and across America, have helped build the safest and most affordable food supply in the world. Women play a vital role in running the farm and growing the nation's food supply. For the past decade, they have been speaking up to tell their...
Spring into Action and Be Seen
Salisbury, MD (March 8, 2021) – Spring brings planting season for Delaware and Maryland farmers. That means more tractors pulling planters and other farm equipment down highways and roads across the state. That also means increased potential for farm-equipment-related...
Road Safety Campaign Highlights Awareness of Farm Equipment Drivers for Motorists
Maryland motorists can help reduce farm-related accidents. The Maryland Soybean Board, with support from the United Soybean Board, is partnering in the “Find Me Driving” road safety campaign to raise motorists’ awareness of farm equipment drivers on the roads this...
Soybean Farmers Applaud Maryland Department of Transportation
Maryland Soybean Board to partner in education outreach The Maryland Soybean Board praises the Maryland Department of Transportation for their innovative consideration of farmers in their recently released 2021-2025 Maryland Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP). The...
Soybeans Fuel Local Food Donations
Maryland soybean farmers applaud their number one customers in animal agriculture who aided in keeping food on table for local families during unprecedented times. According to the Maryland Food Bank, agricultural corporations such as Perdue Farms, Inc., Smithfield...