The Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board (KSPB) is proud to announce the new officer team for 2010.

During the annual meeting of the KSPB, farmer-leader Gerry Hayden of Calhoun was elected to serve as chairman.

"I am really looking forward to working with the board this year as we continue to direct positive investments for the soybean producers in our state," stated Hayden. "This year I believe we will continue to strongly support the animal agriculture industry here in Kentucky as well as work to promote soybean usage internationally."

Hayden raises soybeans, corn and wheat on his farm. He also has a herd of Black Angus cattle. He will be representing the KSPB on the Soybean Transportation Coalition this upcoming year along with his duties as chairman.

Hayden also serves as McLean County Farm Bureau President.

Elected to vice-chairman is Dennis Clark of Sedalia. Clark Farms consists of soybeans, corn and wheat and is located in Graves County.

Clark has also been appointed by the United States Secretary of Agriculture to serve on the United Soybean Board where he sits on the International Marketing Committee. In addition to his service on the checkoff boards, he also represents KSPB on the National Biodiesel Board.

"Over the next year I look forward to working on increasing the use of soy biodiesel in our state and working to provide more availability so farmers who want to use the fuel have better access to it." Clark continued, "Biodiesel demand has provided up to 25 cents per bushel in support to soybean prices over the past four marketing years and there is a great deal of room for growth."

The secretary/treasurer position will now be held by Aaron Reding of New Haven. Reding Farms is comprised of soybeans, corn and wheat. He is the vice-president of the LaRue County Farm Bureau and holds this year's American Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award.

"In my service on the board I hope to invest the soybean checkoff dollars in a way that can best benefit all soybean farmers," said Reding. "I believe we are funding better research each year and that research is strengthening the soybean industry."

Based on a recent return-on-investment study required by federal law, U.S. soybean farmers received a $6.40 return for every one checkoff dollar invested for U.S. soy research and promotion.

The KSPB is comprised of 11 farmer-leaders who have been appointed to oversee state checkoff investments. For more information on the soybean checkoff visit http://www.kysoy.org.