Meet the Board

Pennsylvania soybean farmer-directors make up the board of directors, overseeing the activities of the Pennsylvania Soybean Board.

Pennsylvania Soybean Board Directors

Officers

John Harrell* Lebanon, PA, Chair
Emily Landis, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA, Vice Chair
Justin Knoebel, Elysburg, PA, Secretary/Treasurer

Board Members

Andy Fabin*
Indiana, PA		 Rick Telesz
Volant, PA
Dylan Beam
Elverson, PA		 Robert Reed
Danville, PA
Justin Jones
Wyalusing, PA		 Dustin Keiffer (Ex-Officio member)

Rebuck, PA
Dr. Paul Esker
Penn State (Ex-Officio Member)

* Also serves on United Soybean Board

Nominations to the Pennsylvania Soybean Board of Directors

The Pennsylvania Soybean Board is currently accepting nominations of individuals who would be willing to serve on the Board of Directors of both the Pennsylvania Board as well as the United Soybean Board.

The volunteer members of the Pennsylvania Soybean Board (PSB) are responsible for the collection and administration of the soybean checkoff program within the State.  The authority given to PSB under the Federal Act and Order are specific to soybean education, promotion, communication and research.  PSB is not affiliated with lobbying of any manner.

Specific expectations and duties associated with serving as a director include:

  • Annually, must raise soybeans in Pennsylvania to be eligible to serve on the board.
  • The Board typically meets three (3) times per year or at the will of the Chairman. Meetings are held in early February, August and December.
  • The Board does convene via conference call on an as needed basis.
  • The Board strives for diversification of members including but not limited to: geographic; size & type of operation; leadership experience; age; gender; race; education and industry background.
  • The initial term of a board member shall be three (3) years and each member is eligible to serve three (3) consecutive terms thereby serving a total of nine (9) years on the board assuming the member sought reappointment at the pleasure of the board. A board member who served nine (9) years may seek reappointment to the board after being off the board for one (1) year.
  • Board members are eligible for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred for attending soybean board meetings and/or soybean events/activities.

If you or an individual you know is interested in being considered to serve on the Board, please complete the  nomination form and submit it to Jennifer Reed-Harry by mail or at jrharry@pennag.com by close of business on : July 18, 2024.

The Pennsylvania Soybean Board is committed to growing leadership to serve on its board that reflects a diversity of perspectives and opinions as the industry population that pays the marketing and promotion assessment is diverse. That diversity should reflect size of operation, experience of members, methods of production and distribution, ethnicity and gender, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table.

In addition to the opportunities of the Pennsylvania Soybean Board, there are opportunities to serve on the United Soybean Board.  The United Soybean Board is comprised of 77 farmer/leaders from across the United States.  If you are interested in being nominated for the United Soybean Board, please contact our office for additional information on this process.

If you have questions, contact the PSB office at (717) 651-5922 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Nomination Form PA Soybean Board

Make your mark!  Serve on the United Soybean Board

Are you a soybean grower ready to make a lasting impact on the industry?

The farmer-leaders who guide the soybean checkoff as directors of the United Soybean Board  are instrumental in shaping the future of the soybean industry. Two growers from Pennsylvania currently serve on the board  to represent the interests of the state’s soybean producers on a national level.

To represent Pennsylvania as a member of the United Soybean Board, you do not have to be a member of the Pennsylvania Soybean Board. However, you must be:

  • A soybean producer who is engaged in growing soybeans in Pennsylvania who owns or share the ownership and risk of loss of soybean production..
  • Nominated by the Pennsylvania Soybean Board.

Individuals appointed to the board serve three-year terms. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture selects individuals from the nominations submitted.

Ready to make a difference?
Contact Jennifer Reed-Harry, PSB Executive Director, at jrharry@pennag.com or call the PSB office at (717) 651-5922. Deadline for nominations is January 22, 2024.

Make Your Mark! USB Director Recruitment Brochure