INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Former Indiana Soybean Alliance Chair Tom Griffiths, who is a farmer from Noble County, Ind., was re-appointed by USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to the United Soybean Board (USB) in October. Griffiths will be officially sworn in for service at the annual USB meeting in December, and he will serve a second, three-year term.

In his past service with the ISA, Griffiths was the board chair in 2017-18, secretary in 2014-15, chairman of the ISA Livestock, Production Research and Environmental Programs Committee in 2012-13, a representative to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) from 2010-14, and a representative to the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) from 2015-18.

Along with his wife, Kim, and son, Glen, Griffiths has operated Arrow G Farms since 1988. In addition to corn, soybeans and hay, they also feed and raise a few head of cattle.

“I will continue to stay informed of the issues and future challenges that face Indiana agriculture,” Griffiths said. “This insight allows me to make informed, sound decisions on where to invest Indiana’s checkoff dollars in the same conservative manner as I have in the past. My No. 1 priority has, and always will be, to bring back the most return to Indiana farmers both large and small.”

He has a degree in metallurgical engineering. Griffiths has worked in the following agricultural fields: fertilizer warehouse manager, feed blending and service, and a custom applicator.

“I would like to thank (USDA Secretary) Sonny Perdue for reappointment to the USB Board,” Griffiths said. “I want soybean farmers from around the Midwest to know that I will be an outspoken advocate for the American farmer. Being a director on the USB for the past three years has been an honor; and with my reappointment, I will continue to support the USB in any way I can while voicing my concerns when I think it’s needed. Being a USB director is not an easy job, as in many things in life, the right thing isn’t always the easy thing to do.”

He believes expanding both export and domestic markets, along with paying attention to consumers’ desire for sustainability, are issues USB will need to address in the next three years.

“Along with old and new export markets, domestic markets have driven the demand of our products for decades,” Griffths said. “I believe sustainability is something that consumers are continually going to express their concerns about. Eventually they will be able to define what sustainability is to them, and we need to address those concerns.

“Knowing what industry brought soybean farmers to the dance years ago, I will continue to be a staunch advocate for their continued support.”

Authorized by the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act, the USB is composed of 78 members representing 29 states, in addition to the Eastern and Western regions. The number of seats on the board is determined based on bushels produced in that region. Members must be soybean farmers nominated by a Qualified State Soybean Board.