Will Spargo, a soybean farmer from Naylor, Mo., has been appointed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to serve on the United Soybean Board. Six U.S. soybean farmers will be sworn in as new USB directors at the USB annual meeting in December.

“I am looking forward to serving on the United Soybean Board,” said Spargo. “This is a great opportunity for me to learn more about the soybean industry on a national and global level.”

“I will do everything within my abilities to help advance quality soybean research that will benefit the U.S. soybean farmer as well as our customers,” added Spargo. “This is a great opportunity to come together with farmers from across the country to help make soybeans better for all.”

Spargo, nominated by the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, joins Missouri farmers Richard Fordyce of Bethany and Todd Gibson from Norborne on the board.

The six new appointees will join 63 existing or returning farmer-leaders in volunteering their time to serve as stewards of all U.S. soybean farmers’ checkoff investments, ensuring the funds are used effectively to support global demand for U.S. soy and maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers.

Soybean checkoff farmer-leaders focus on investing checkoff funds in domestic and international marketing, maintaining and increasing U.S. soybean yields, finding new uses for soy, ensuring market access for U.S. soy and other areas affecting the U.S. soy industry.