FRANKENMUTH, Mich. — Michigan soybean growers Jim Wilson and David Williams are leading the American Soybean Assoc.’s (ASA) World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) program.

ASA President Ron Moore confirmed Wilson and Williams along with 17 fellow soybean growers from across the nation to lead the WISHH Committee in 2017-18.

Wilson serves on the committee representing Michigan. Williams, a United Soybean Board director, serves as an ex-officio member.

The importance of their work in longterm market development was underscored on August 10 when the USDA announced farmers are expected to produce a record-high soybean crop this year at 4.38 billion bushels.

WISHH strives for long-term market development and is always looking over the hill to the next market for U.S. soy, said Moore in announcing the WISHH committee.

“WISHH’s Program Committee’s leadership is important to U.S. soybean growers, as well as the many companies and customers in developing countries that seek to use U.S. soy in livestock feeds and human foods,” he said.

WISHH Chair Daryl Cates, an Illinois soybean grower, added, “WISHH leverages U.S. soybean farmer checkoff dollars 6 to 1. WISHH further multiplies Qualified State Soybean Board dollars through international private-sector partner investments.

The right formula for trade grows markets for U.S. soy farmers, and at the same time, improves lives for people abroad.”

Other new WISHH committee members include: Matt Gast, North Dakota Soybean Council; Gerry Hayden of Kentucky; David Lueck of Missouri; U.S. Soybean Export Council Chief Operations Officer Ed Beaman; Tim Bardole of Iowa; Ryan Cahoon of North Carolina; Kurt Maurath of Kansas; Steve Reinhard of Ohio; Dawn Scheier of South Dakota; and Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare, Bill Wykes, Thomas Kentner and Jeff Lynn of Illinois.

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Corn Growers Assoc. (MCGA) board of directors is pleased to announce that the second annual Frank Lipinski Scholarship application is now available.

This scholarship is geared toward fulltime college students who don’t come from an agricultural or farm background. Participation in either the 4-H or FFA organization does not disqualify a student.

Lipinski was deeply passionate about reaching out to young adults with non-agricultural backgrounds. He made it a priority to assist those wanting to enter the industry and educate young people about the various opportunities available in agriculture.

This new scholarship will be awarded for the 2018 spring semester with applications due Nov. 3. For more information or to apply for the Frank Lipinski Memorial scholarship, contact Michigan Corn by calling 517-668-CORN (2676) or via the website at www.micorn.org

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Paul Jeschke, a farmer from Mazon, was elected by his peers to serve as chair of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board for the 2017-18 term. Jeschke, a Grundy County farmer, has served on the board for six years.

As chair, he represents the organization and continues his obligations to corn farmers in District 5, covering Grundy, Kankakee, LaSalle and Livingston counties.

Also elected to officer positions were Don Duvall (Carmi) as vice chair, Roger Sy (Newman) as treasurer and Dirk Rice (Philo) as secretary.

Five districts held corn checkoff board elections earlier this summer. In each of those elections, the incumbent candidate retained the seat.

The district elections included Pat Dumoulin (Hampshire) in District 1, representing Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McKenry and Will counties.

For District 4, Mark Wilson (Toulon) was reelected to represent Bureau, Lee, Marshall, Putnam, Stark and Whiteside counties.

Jim Reed (DeLand) was retained to represent Dewitt, Macon, McLean, Moultrie, Piatt and Woodford counties in District 7.

Bill Long (Franklin) retained the District 10 seat to represent Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Morgan, Sangamon and Scott counties; and for District 13, Don Duvall will continue to represent Clay, Edwards, Jefferson, Lawrence, Marion, Richland, Wabash, Wayne and White counties.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Soy Aquaculture Alliance board of directors has named Andy Tauer as the executive director of SAA.

Tauer assumed the role of interim executive director in May.

While serving as director of Livestock & Aquaculture for Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council, he has worked with industry partners to grow value-added soybean demand through increased livestock and aquaculture in the state of Indiana. He also has overseen checkoff-funded research on improving soybean meal nutrition qualities for livestock and aquaculture.

Tauer has been actively involved in promotion of meat, poultry/eggs and exports for Indiana corn and soybean farmers.

While serving as Interim Executive Director of SAA, he has been working to grow the membership base of SAA, as well as forge relationships with industry leaders.

In conjunction with his responsibilities as the lead for SAA, he will continue serving the two organizations by dedicating part of his time to the role of Livestock director.