Contact: Ashley Huibregtse, 608-224-5002
MADISON – Nominations are now open for two board member positions on the Wisconsin Soybean Board. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCP) will accept nominations postmarked by July 6, 2011.
Producers who grow and sell soybeans in the following counties are eligible to be nominated:
* District 1 – Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Burnett, Chippewa, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Florence, Forest, Iron, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, St. Croix, Sawyer, Shawano, Taylor, Vilas, Washburn, and Waupaca.
* District 7 – Milwaukee and Racine.
Dennis Steigenberger of District 1 and Eugene Weis of District 7 have terms expiring August 31, 2011. Both of these board members are eligible to be re-nominated.
Nomination forms are available by contacting Noel Favia of DATCP at 608-224-5140 or 800-942-2774. Producers may nominate themselves or other qualified candidates.
A completed nomination form must include signatures of at least five eligible soybean producers other than the nominee. A notarized Affidavit of Eligibility, indicating that the affected producer meets the qualifications for nomination, must also accompany the submission of the nomination form. Completed nomination forms should be sent to: WI DATCP, Marketing Order Program, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911.
DATCP will conduct the Wisconsin Soybean Board election from August 1 – 17, 2011. Elected producers will begin September 1, 2011 and serve a three year term.
Other current members of the Wisconsin Soybean Board are:
* District 2: Steve Stetzer (Buffalo, Clark, Eau Claire, Jackson, LaCrosse, Pepin, Pierce, Trempealeau, and Wood counties)
* District 3: Jeff Brandt (Adams, Crawford, Dane, Grant, Green, Iowa, Juneau, Lafayette, Monroe, Richland, Sauk, and Vernon counties)
* District 4: Keith Ripp (Calumet, Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Jefferson, Manitowoc, Marquette, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington, Waukesha, Waushara, and Winnebago counties)
* District 5: Patrick Mullooly (Rock County)
* District 6: Mike Cerny (Kenosha and Walworth counties)
The Wisconsin Soybean Board represents some 18,000 soybean growers in the state. Its purpose is research, market development, national and international marketing, and education. In 2010, Wisconsin harvested 82.3 million bushels of soybeans valued at $938 million.
