The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reappointed Arkansas soybean producer Robert Petter of De Valls Bluff to the United Soybean Board (USB) for a second three-year term. Petter will continue to serve as a farmer-leader representing Arkansas on the 77-member board.
“As a USB board member, Robert continues his advocacy for the interests of Arkansas soybean farmers on a national scale, helping to secure the ongoing success of the state’s soybean industry,” said Brad Doyle, chairman of the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board and a producer from Poinsett County.
Petter is one of three Arkansas representatives on the USB, which is composed of farmer-leaders from 29 states and two regional groups. The board’s size is determined by regional soybean production, and all members are nominated by a Qualified State Soybean Board. The USB operates under the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act.
“As a member of the United Soybean Board, I’m committed to advancing Arkansas’s soybean industry on a national scale,” Petter said. “With nearly three decades of experience as a producer, my goal is to ensure long-term sustainability and growth for our state’s agriculture.”
During his second term, Petter will take on roles in three key committees. As a Work Group Lead, he will focus on promoting the health and nutrition of soybeans within the supply chain. He will also serve on the Value Alignment Committee, which ensures efficient allocation of research funding by preventing project duplication. Additionally, he will contribute to the Audit & Evaluation Committee, helping to align the organization’s strategies with USB’s mission.
The USDA appointed five new farmer-leaders and reappointed 12 others, including Petter. In total, 17 directors and alternates from 16 states began their terms during USB’s December meeting in St. Charles, Missouri, on Dec. 11, 2024.
USB’s initiatives have proven beneficial for U.S. soybean farmers, delivering an estimated $12.34 in returns for every dollar invested in the soybean checkoff. These funds support efforts to enhance the preference for U.S. soybeans in both domestic and international markets.
For more information on the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, visit TheMiracleBean.com.
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