FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Delaware Soybean Board has approved $130,585 for soybean promotions projects in its current fiscal year. Funded projects align with the Board’s strategic priorities: sustain Delaware’s animal agriculture market, demonstrate the value of agriculture to Delaware consumers, identify market opportunities, and provide Delaware soybean farmers with resources for best production practices.
“As soybean growers face declining prices, the Delaware Soybean Board continues to make investments to build demand for soybeans from the First State,” says Board Chair Tim Rogers. “Through increased demand and informed decision-making resources, the board aims to maximize the profitability of Delaware soybean farmers.”
Project selections were made by the Board’s farmer-leaders representing each county in Delaware. Funding for selected projects is provided by the soybean checkoff program. The most recent return on investment study, conducted by Cornell University in 2019, found that farmers received $12.34 in added value for every dollar invested in the soy checkoff.
Examples of funded projects include:
- Road Safety Education, Maryland Soybean Board
- Soybean Leadership Academy, American Soybean Association
- Finding and Opening up New U.S. Soy Overseas Markets, American Soybean Association – WISHH Program
- Delaware Ag Week Sponsorship, University of Delaware
- Regional Research Collaboration, Atlantic Soybean Council
- Grain Bin Safety Week, Nationwide
- App Updated and Rollout, Delmarva Chicken Association
- Innovation to Market Workgroup, American Soybean Association
Delaware farmers plant about 150,000 acres of soybeans annually, producing over seven million bushels of beans and generating approximately $60 million in value to the state. The Delaware Soybean Board consists of nine farmer-directors and the Secretary of Agriculture. Funded through a one-half of one percent assessment on the net market value of soybeans at their first point of sale, the checkoff works with partners in the value chain to identify and capture opportunities that increase farmer profit potential.
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For information, contact:
Danielle Bauer Farace
Executive Director
Delaware Soybean Board
443-812-4526
Danielle@desoybeans.org
www.desoybeans.org