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The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council will have five director seats up for election in 2027, with the openings representing districts across much of the state.
MSR&PC is seeking farmers with diverse perspectives and innovative ideas to help guide checkoff investments that benefit Minnesota soybean producers and the state’s soybean industry, which generates nearly $10 billion in economic activities. Directors play a crucial role in determining how checkoff dollars are invested by supporting initiatives that fund research, developing domestic and international markets, promoting value-added new uses for soybeans and investing in the next generation of agricultural professionals and leaders.
“We’re always looking for fresh ideas to help guide checkoff investments,” said MSR&PC Vice Chair Ben Storm, a Dover farmer who also serves as election chair. “There’s always an opportunity to explore new ideas and find ways to bring even more value back to Minnesota soybean farmers.”
The five seats up for election in 2027 represent District 1, 2, & 3; District 4; District 7; District 8; and District 9.
MSR&PC CEO Tom Slunecka emphasized the importance of farmer involvement in the election process, noting that these elections give soybean farmers a voice in who represents their districts and how their checkoff dollars are invested.
“MSR&PC board elections are held each year, giving soybean farmers the opportunity to elect representatives from their districts to help guide how their checkoff dollars are invested,” said Slunecka, who will mark 15 years as MSR&PC CEO in 2027. “It’s important for farmers to take the time to request their ballots and vote. These are important positions that help shape the future of Minnesota’s soybean industry, and every vote makes a difference.”
To be eligible to run for a seat on the Council, candidates must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a Minnesota soybean producer
- Share directly in the risk of loss from the production of soybeans during the current or preceding marketing year
- Meet the qualifications for a producer set forth in the promotional order
Serving on the Council offers directors the opportunity to attend one national United Soybean Board (USB) board meeting each year, develop strategic business management skills and help shape the future of Minnesota soybean farming by directing checkoff investments. Each of the five seats carries a three-year term beginning July 1, 2027.
For MSR&PC Chair Gail Donkers, who was first elected to the Council in 2019, serving on the Council provides an opportunity to represent fellow farmers and rural communities while seeing firsthand how checkoff investments improve the profitability of Minnesota farms.
“I would definitely like to encourage anyone who’s interested to run for the board and learn about what we’re doing and volunteer your time for MSR&PC,” Donkers said. “A lot of farmers are curious about what the checkoff is doing and where their dollars are going, and I can tell you from experience that having that firsthand look at how we’re investing those dollars really shows the ways the checkoff is bringing value back to our farms and our communities.”
Farmers interested in running must complete a candidate certification and biography form and submit it to Melinda Roberts at melinda@mnsoybean.com or mail the completed forms to the Minnesota Soybean office by Jan. 25, 2027.
Ballots will be mailed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture on March 15, 2027, and must be postmarked by April 1, 2027.
For more information on candidate ballot forms and seats up for election, click here. To request a ballot, visit https://mnsoybean.org/msrpc/
“We highly encourage our farmers to participate in the election process, whether as candidates or voters,” Slunecka said. “The more voices we have, the stronger our checkoff will be in the future.”
MSR&PC news release
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