Durham elected to 2nd term at helm of Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council

Durham

Kyle Durham of Norborne, Missouri, was named to a second term as the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council’s chairman following a vote July 27 by the board of directors. In that role, he leads the 13 farmers elected to oversee Missouri’s soybean checkoff investments.

“The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council exists to drive innovation in all things soy, and this is an exciting time to move forward with soybean research, new uses and new markets,” Durham said. “As a farmer-led organization, we take our responsibilities to heart, ensuring Missouri soybean farmers are continually benefiting from market opportunities and have the most up-to-date research information at their fingertips. It’s an honor to have the support of the board as chairman and I’m looking forward to growing our partnerships in education, research and increasing demand for soy together.”

This will be Durham’s second and final one-year term as MSMC chairman. He was first elected to the role during the board of directors’ summer 2020 meeting.

Durham’s leadership team was also reelected to a second term. The executive board for MSMC includes Durham, as well as vice-chairman Aaron Porter, a soybean farmer from Dexter, and secretary/treasurer Mark Lehenbauer of Palmyra. Soybean farmer Robert Alpers of Prairie Home led the nomination process.

Durham’s election took place during MSMC’s summer meetings, where board members also reviewed ongoing research and education efforts and collaborated with leadership from the Missouri Soybean Association.

MSMC is a statewide, farmer-led organization working to improve opportunities for Missouri soybean farmers though a combination of research, outreach, education and market development efforts supported by the soy checkoff.