Indiana Soybean Alliance : Officers Elected to Indiana Soybean Alliance Board

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Jan. 27, 2016) - The 2016 Indiana Soybean Alliance officer team was elected by the board at its December meeting. The officer team will help direct the checkoff programs that develop and fortify the success of the soybean industry within the state. Joe Steinkamp of Evansville was elected as the ISA president.

'This is an exciting time to be leading our state's soybean organization as 2016 marks its 50th anniversary,' said Steinkamp who has been an ISA director for the last eight years. 'I'm looking forward to working with the other 23 farmer-directors on the ISA board to invest our time and dollars into programs that drive demand for our soybeans and soy products.'

Other members elected to the executive committee include: Don Wyss of Fort Wayne as vice president; Elaine Gillis of Dunkirk as secretary; Joe Tuholski of LaPorte as treasurer; Matt Chapman of Springport as grain production and utilization committee chair; Jim Douglas of Flat Rock as marketing and communication committee chair; and Jeanette Merritt of Peru as membership and policy committee chair.

The ISA Board of Directors also welcomed four new farmer-directors to the board during its December meeting, including Martin Evans of Terre Haute, Brent Lyke of Evansville, Roger Bommer of Brockville and Keevin Lemenager of Monrovia.

ISA works on behalf of nearly 28,000 soybean farmers in Indiana who contribute to the soybean checkoff. The ISA Board of Directors is responsible for the investment of those checkoff funds. Under its three-year strategic plan, the ISA identified six major areas, including grain marketing, livestock, new uses, production and environmental research, aquaculture, and biofuels.

'A goal I have as president is to encourage all Indiana soybean farmers to sign up for our checkoff membership so that they stay informed and involved in the work we are doing on their behalf,' said Steinkamp. 'From investing in the new plant phenotyping center at Purdue University to working with the livestock industry to help our number one customer of soybean meal continue to thrive here in Indiana, the programs the soybean checkoff supports are truly making a difference.'

The Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) launched a new initiative to encourage soybean farmers to take full advantage of their checkoff benefits based on their individualized interests last December. The Indiana soybean checkoff membership is voluntary, free and provides access to timely and relevant checkoff benefits. Farmers can sign up at www.IndianaBeanBenefits.com.

In addition to electing new officers and welcoming new farmer directors, the ISA board recognized members retiring off the board, including Trevor Glick of Columbus, Ind.; Terry Vissing of Marysville, Ind.; and Brad Burbrink of Terre Haute, Ind.

'ISA is an effective advocate for farmers because of the grassroots farmer leadership on the board,' Steinkamp said. 'Because of the time and energy Trevor, Terry, and Brad invested in ISA, Indiana soybean farmers will benefit for many years from advancements made in production research, consumer relations and market development.'

For more information about becoming involved with ISA, visit www.indianasoybean.com.

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Contact: Megan Kuhn, Indiana Soybean Alliance, 317-614-0377 or [e-mail].

2016ISAOfficerTeam.jpg (photo forthcoming)

Indiana Soybean Alliance board of directors recently elected officers for 2016, including (from left front) Don Wyss of Fort Wayne, vice president; Joe Steinkamp of Evansville, president; Joe Tuholski of LaPorte, treasurer; (from left back) Matt Chapman of Springport, chair of grain utilization and production committee; Elaine Gillis of Dunkirk, secretary; Jeanette Merritt, chair of membership and policy committee; and Jim Douglas of Flat Rock, chair of marketing and communications committee.

2016RetiringISADirectors.jpg (photo forthcoming)

Indiana Soybean Alliance honored three retiring directors at its recent board meeting as well as outgoing president David Lowe (second from left) who continues to serve on the board. Pictured from left are Trevor Glick of Columbus, Lowe of Dunkirk; Terry Vissing of Marysville; and Brad Burbrink of Terre Haute. All three retiring directors served nine years on the ISA board.

The Indiana Soybean Alliance works to enhance the viability of Indiana soybean farmers through the effective and efficient investment of soybean checkoff funds and the development of sound policies that protect and promote the interest of Indiana soybean farmers. The ISA is working to build new markets for soybeans through the promotion of biofuels, livestock, production and research, grain marketing, new uses, environmental programs, and aquaculture. ISA is led by an elected farmer board that directs investments of the soybean checkoff funds on behalf of more than 28,000 Indiana soybean farmers and promotes policies on behalf of the ISA's 800 dues-paying members. Visit www.indianasoybean.com for more information.

This communication was funded with soybean checkoff dollars.