Robert Petter appointed to United Soybean Board

Robert Petter of De Valls Bluff has been appointed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the United Soybean Board (USB). Petter will represent Arkansas during a three-year term as a newly appointed farmer-leader on the board.

“Robert’s appointment to the United Soybean Board is exciting for us and well deserved,” said Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board Chair Donald Morton. “He will promote the interests of local soybean farmers and stakeholders on a national level to ensure the soybean industry in Arkansas continues to thrive.”

Petter is one of 78 farmer-leaders serving USB, which is authorized by the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act. A total of 29 states, in addition to the Eastern and Western regions, are represented by the board members. The number of seats on the board is determined based on bushels produced in their region. Members of the board must be soybean farmers nominated by a Qualified State Soybean Board (QSSB).

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve on the United Soybean Board,” Petter said. “After having spent the past 25 years serving the rice industry, I’m now looking forward to serving the soybean growers of Arkansas as soybean production accounts for two-thirds of my operation.”

U.S. soybean farmers receive an estimated $12.34 in value for every dollar they invested in the checkoff program. Those investments continue to fund programs that build preference for U.S. soybeans across the country and around the world.