Soy checkoff welcomes applications for see for yourself program

ST. LOUIS – This summer, 10 U.S. soybean farmers from across the country will get the chance to see how the United Soybean Board (USB) puts their soy checkoff investment to use. To find out who those 10 farmers will be, the national soy checkoff has begun accepting applications for its sixth annual See for Yourself program.

See For Yourself offers farmers the chance to see the checkoff in action and evaluate a wide range of checkoff activities. The 2013 See for Yourself session will take place July 21–27, 2013.

The soy checkoff invites all soybean farmers from around the country to visit USB’s website and apply. The application deadline is April 1, 2013.

“See for Yourself is truly exceptional,” said David Hartke, chair of the USB Audit and Evaluation committee, which sponsors See for Yourself. “Farmer-participants have the chance to see the activities of their checkoff up close, and draw their own conclusions at the same time. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Selected farmer-participants will visit several sites that demonstrate the soy checkoff’s efforts to improve the value of U.S. soy meal and oil; ensure soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate; and meet the needs of U.S. soy customers.

Participants will first meet in St. Louis, headquarters of USB, to receive an overview of the organization and see how the checkoff works on behalf of soybean farmers domestically. The group will then travel to a location abroad to learn about the demand for U.S. soy internationally and to see some of the many uses for soy. Examples of what participants might see include the use of biodiesel at a major airport, the importance of soy to animal agriculture and the use of soy by the food industry. USB will cover all travel, lodging and meal expenses.

Kentucky soybean farmer Jonathan Miller encourages farmers to apply.

“The See for Yourself program was one of the greatest experiences of my life,” says Miller, who participated last year. “I encourage farmers to learn more about what the checkoff’s doing on their behalf to improve their profit potential.”

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit http://www.unitedsoybean.org