By TIM ALEXANDER 

Illinois Correspondent

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – From her family farm in Washington, Iowa, to the halls of Congress in Washington, D.C., Courtney Knupp has learned a thing or two about soybeans and soybean policy. Knupp, the immediate past director of global supply chains at the White House National Security Council (NSC), was ratified by board member vote as the new CEO of the United Soybean Board (USB) in July. Knupp began her work on behalf of U.S. soybean farmers on Oct. 1, 2026 by focusing on identifying the best ways to utilize funds collected through the Soy Checkoff program.

“I have worked in the agriculture industry across many sectors in trade associations and government, but this is the first time I have lived in Missouri. It is not my first time working in the soybean industry, and it is nice to be home,” said Knupp, whose family lives just four hours north of the USB’s St. Louis headquarters, raising soybeans and corn and feeding pigs for a major contractor. The family also owns a trucking business that transports grain and livestock for southeast Iowa producers and regional buyers.

“Our community is totally driven by agriculture, and that makes me proud,” Knupp added, referring to her rural Iowa home and the perspectives she looks forward to bringing to her new role. She praised the USB’s board of directors and staff for “setting me up for success” when she took the reins on Oct. 1, which was the first day of the fiscal 2026-2027 year for the organization.

“A lot of work was done preceding me setting the stage for success with the projects and the work we will be doing, the investments we will be making, and executing our strategic plan. The staff is hitting the ground running and so am I, with the goal first and foremost to get these projects off to a good start,” Knupp told Farm World.

“Some (projects) look to invest in new spaces for new demand, some are looking at utilization and research on how we can expand, hopefully, the size of our market opportunities in spaces like the poultry industry, for example. Some have to do with long-term investment and building on the work we’ve been doing for decades learning more about things like meal, fuel, bio-based products, etc.”

Her prior work experience and qualifications include nearly two decades of experience spanning agriculture, international trade, public policy and market development, according to Knupp’s USB-provided profile. In addition to her most previous post at the NSC, Knupp previously served as senior policy adviser to the U.S. Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture on trade and food safety. Her checkoff and export experience includes serving as vice president of international market development at the National Pork Board, and as director of global animal and aquaculture nutrition at the U.S. Soybean Export Council.

Knupp has also held chief of staff roles in the USDA, led international trade policy for the National Pork Producers Council and held commercial roles at BASF and Elanco Animal Health. She earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and international agriculture from Iowa State University in 2007.

“The big thing is coming in here and creating consistency with our team here at the USB and me getting up to speed is a big goal,” Knupp said. “We will have a board meeting in December when we will get a whole new batch of directors, so it is going to be a busy sprint to the end of the calendar year. But the biggest thing is just learning, listening and empowering the good work that is already set in motion.”

She sees her top responsibility as CEO is to liaison between the 77 or so farmer-leaders comprising the USB and supporting staff, and making sure key partnerships are maintained with organizations like the American Soybean Association, Soybean Export Council, WIISH, and state soybean associations. “It is really about farmer dollars making farmer decisions, and that’s really my role – being that linchpin to make sure that we have strategic direction and execute on their behalf,” Knupp explained.

The Soybean Checkoff is marking its 35th year of existence with the 2026-2027 fiscal year, providing research, education and promotion on behalf of U.S. soybean producers who pay into the program via an 0.5 percent assessment the net market price per bushel of soybeans at their initial point of sale.

“Courtney is the right leader at the right time to advance the work of the Soy Checkoff and our vision of delivering sustainable soy solutions to every life, every day,” said Brent Gatton, USB chair. “She brings the strategic vision, deep agricultural understanding and proven leadership our farmer-leaders set out to find, along with a genuine commitment to increasing return on investment for U.S. soybean farmers. We look forward to the momentum she will bring to our mission.”