About the Soybean Checkoff

All U.S. soybean farmers participate in the checkoff, contributing 0.5 percent (5 mills) of the price they receive for each bushel, which elevators and processors collect at the first point of sale. Half of all checkoff dollars collected in Kansas remain in Kansas and are invested by the Kansas Soybean Commission. The other half goes to the national soybean checkoff, which is directed by U.S. soybean farmer-directors on the United Soybean Board.

The U.S. Congress created the soybean checkoff in 1991. Checkoff-funded projects help develop markets, educate consumers, discover new uses and research new ways to produce soybeans more efficiently.

By law, soybean-checkoff dollars may be spent only on certain types of projects. Under no circumstance may funds be used for lobbying purposes.

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Kansas Soybean Commission

The Kansas Soybean Commission (KSC) is a farmer-driven organization dedicated to improving profitability, increasing demand and building a strong future for all Kansas soybean farmers.

KSC consists of nine farmers elected by their peers to serve the needs and interests of Kansas soybean farmers. Those commissioners oversee the investment of 50 percent of Kansas’ checkoff dollars. (The other 50 percent goes to the United Soybean Board.) The farmer-leaders are elected to represent their geographic regions through a process conducted by the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

KSC primarily focuses on soybean research, marketing and education to support the profit opportunities for Kansas soybean farmers and the soybean industry.

Review the Commission’s request for proposals (RFP) in the Forms section.

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United Soybean Board

USB consists of 73 volunteer farmer-directors from throughout the soybean-producing portion of the United States. Those farmer-directors oversee the investment of soybean-checkoff funds to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. The farmers serving on USB are nominated by the state soybean boards (KSC in Kansas) then appointed by the U.S. secretary of agriculture. Three Kansas soybean farmers currently serve as USB directors. Nomination information is in the Forms section.

The Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act requires the secretary of agriculture to give soybean farmers an opportunity to petition for a referendum every five years. To be eligible to participate, farmers must certify they, or the entity they are authorized to represent, paid an assessment at some time during the qualifying period.