After being elected first vice president of the Ohio Soybean Association and serving in that position throughout 2019, I’m proud to move into the role of president for 2020. I want to thank my fellow board members for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to lead our organization over the next year. I especially thank our immediate-past president, Scott Metzger, for his leadership.

During the OSA December board meeting, the board elected the other members of the executive committee. Patrick Knouff of Shelby County was elected first vice president and will assume the role of president for 2021. Jennifer Wilson-Oechsle of Van Wert County was elected vice president, Jeff McKanna of Hancock County was elected Treasurer, and Rusty Goebel of Williams County was elected secretary.

Looking ahead to 2020, our priorities will continue to be trade and water quality.

At the national level, getting the USMCA passed is essential to stabilize those markets for trade. We will also continue to work shoulder to shoulder with the American Soybean Association to lobby for a resolution to the trade dispute with China and a return to free market conditions.

Be sure to read more about the newly formed Ohio Agricultural Conservation Initiative (OACI) on page 5 of this issue. This group represents an unprecedented partnership between agriculture and environmental advocates to make meaningful, realistic progress on water quality. OACI is in the process of creating a certification program and will be working very closely with the Ohio Department of Agriculture on implementing H2Ohio programs as those funds become available.

I have always believed in the work that member-driven organizations like OSA do on behalf of our industry. But I also know that sometimes it’s hard to see that value from a distance. That’s why I’m encouraging all members, or those interested in becoming a member, to reach out this winter to your OSA district representative. Chat with them about what OSA is doing for you and how you can get involved. Involvement can simply mean sending an email or making a call to an elected official and/or donating a few extra dollars to our PAC. Visit www.soyohio.org/membership to learn more.

Thank you for reading the Ohio Soybean News and Happy New Year!

Ryan Rhoades
OSA President
Marion County