Burrier Re-elected to USB Executive Committee

Belinda Burrier

Belinda Burrier to serve as Chairman of new USB Communication and Education Committee.

The Maryland Soybean Board congratulates farmer Belinda Burrier of Union Bridge, MD after she was reelected to the United Soybean Board (USB) Executive Committee last month. This year, 2022, will mark Burrier’s eighth year serving as Maryland’s representative to the United Soybean Board, and her third year serving on their Executive Committee. This year, she will serve in the new position of Communications and Education Chairman under the USB’s recently adopted strategic plan update.

“As Chair of the new Communication and Education Committee, I want the soybean farmers to know we will be working to boost U.S. soy’s reputation throughout the value chain,” says Burrier. “We will be sending positive materials to media outlets and building up our industry as a leader in conservation and stewardship for the land.”

Burrier is one of eleven farmer-leaders who were recently elected by 78 volunteer farmer-leaders of the soy checkoff at the USB Meeting December 7-9 in St. Charles, MO. Other members of the newly elected USB Executive Committee include: Chair Ralph Lott of New York, Vice Chair Meagan Kaiser of Missouri, Secretary Ed Lammers of Nebraska, Treasurer Steve Reinhard of Ohio, Tom Oswald of Iowa, Philip Good of Mississippi, Kevin Wilson of Indiana, Gary Berg of Illinois, Matt Gast of North Dakota, and Ex Officio Dan Farney of Illinois. Burrier and Lott are the first two individuals from the East Coast to serve on the USB Executive Committee.

The mission of the soy checkoff is to create value for U.S. soybean farmers by investing in research, education, and promotion of U.S. soybeans. Research and promotion projects are implemented by USB with oversight from USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.

Since 1991, when the soy checkoff began working on behalf of U.S. soybean farmers, it has provided significant return on investment by leveraging partnerships that increase the value and preference for U.S. soybeans. The latest mandatory five-year independent economic evaluation, conducted in 2019, found that U.S. soybean farmers received an estimated $12.34 in added value for every dollar they invested in the checkoff.

In Maryland, farmers grow about a half a million 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 one-half of one percent 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.

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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Danielle Bauer Farace, Executive Director
Maryland Soybean Board
Office: 443.812.4526
danielle@mdsoy.com

Appenzeller Elected Maryland Soybean Board Chairman

Josh Appenzeller elected Chair of the Maryland Soybean Board.

The Maryland Soybean Board has elected new officers and directors for its new fiscal year, beginning October 1, 2021. The board has unanimously elected Joshua Appenzeller of Sudlersville to serve as Chairman, Eddie Boyle of Cordova to serve as Vice Chairman.

“I look forward to leading the board as we continue to maximize the profitability of Maryland soybean producers,” says Appenzeller. “There is a strong group of farmer-leaders working along-side me to fulfill this mission.”

Additionally, MSB welcomed two new farmer directors to the board in their new fiscal year. Shane King of Princess Anne was elected to represent the Lower Shore, and Ralph Stambaugh of Union Bridge was elected to represent Central Maryland.

Maryland Soybean Board

Ten farmer-directors volunteer their time on the Maryland Soybean Board, which administers soybean checkoff funds for soybean research, marketing and education programs in the state. Also currently serving are Dale Brown of Denton, Steve Walter of Hughesville, Randy Stabler of Brookeville, Jason Spicer of Church Creek, and Evan Staley of Union Bridge. Curt Lambertson of Stockton serves as Treasurer. April Cheesman of Perdue Farms, Inc., Jim Lewis of the University of Maryland Extension Service, and Mark Powell of the Maryland Department of Agriculture serve as ex-officio members.

In Maryland, farmers grow about a half a million 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 one-half of one percent 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.

# # #

Danielle Bauer Farace, Executive Director
Maryland Soybean Board
Office: 443-812-4526
danielle@mdsoy.com

Maryland Soybean Board Seeking Research Proposals

The Maryland Soybean Board (MSB) is now accepting pre-proposals for research projects focused on soybean production and animal agriculture for the 2022 growing season. Pre-proposals should be submitted by October 15, 2021.

“Public and private researchers are encouraged to submit projects to help maximize the profitability of Maryland soybean farmers,” states Maryland Soybean Board Research Committee Chair Joshua Appenzeller. “While the board has identified several research priorities, all innovative project ideas will be considered.”

Research priorities for the upcoming year include:

  • Variety development and trials – yield, quality, population, salt-tolerance, and yield-enhancement products
  • Nematodes – race identification and control, and resistance
  • Weed control – low-rate chemical usage, herbicide resistance, and herbicide trials
  • Pest management – pesticide trials, and bio-pest controls
  • Drought Management – irrigation
  • Cover Crops
  • Disease control
  • Deer damage control
  • Animal agriculture – aquaculture, and meal and oil

All areas of research are equal in priority. A full listing of priorities, along with research guidelines may be found by visiting https://www.mdsoy.com/research/.

All pre-proposals must be submitted on the appropriate application form without any attachments. Researchers who plan to submit proposals to continue previously funded research are not required to submit a pre-proposal. Applicants for which their project was selected for submission of a full proposal will be notified in early November.

The Maryland Soybean Board 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 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

Maryland Soybean Board Showcases Soybean Research

The Maryland Soybean Board welcomed farmers, industry professionals, researchers, and agency officials last week as they hosted their Soybean Checkoff Research Field Day at the Wye Research and Education Center in Queenstown. Attendees braved the heat to learn about the latest in Maryland soybean research, funded by the soybean checkoff program.

“Research funded by the Maryland Soybean Board helps increase the profitability and sustainability of soybean growers across the state,” said Maryland Chair Belinda Burrier. “The goal of this field day was to share that research with farmers so that it can be applied on their own farms.”

The event featured six different projects being funded by the Maryland Soybean Board:

  • Planting Green – Extending the Growing Season to Get More Payback from Cover Crops, Ray Weil, University of Maryland Environmental Science & Technology
  • Evaluating Drone for Cover Crop Seeding and Pesticide Applications, Andrew Kness, University of Maryland Extension, Erika Crowl, University of Maryland Extension, Kirk Floyd, K-Drone Services
  • Evaluation of Growth-Promoting Products for Soybean Production in Maryland, Andrew Kness, University of Maryland Extension
  • University of Maryland Soybean Variety Trials, Nicole Fiorellino, University of Maryland Plant Science & Landscape Architecture
  • Evaluating Soybean Variety Performance and Response to Deer Grazing, Luke Macaulay, University of Maryland Extension
  • Strategies for Controlling Herbicide Resistant Common Ragweed in Maryland, Kurt Vollmer, University of Maryland Extension

The event wrapped up with a snakehead fish-fry and barbeque dinner. The board plans to continue partnering with University of Maryland to offer similar opportunities for farmers in coming years.

In Maryland, farmers grow about a half a million 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 one-half of one percent 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.

For more information on the Maryland Soybean Board, visit www.mdsoy.com.

# # #

Danielle Bauer Farace, Executive Director
Maryland Soybean Board
Office: 443.812.4526
danielle@mdsoy.com

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