<b>By JANE HOUIN<br>
Ohio correspondent</b> </p><p>

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Dale Profit was recently recognized by the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) during its annual meeting for his appointment by the USDA secretary to the board of directors of the United Soybean Board (USB).</p><p>
Profit, a soybean farmer from Van Wert County and OSC board member, will replace Amy Sigg Davis from Warren County, who will retire at the end of this year.</p><p>
“The first thought I had when the board elected me was that I had big shoes to fill,” Profit said. “Amy has done a lot of great work for both OSC and USB. My hope is that I can do as much for soybean farmers as she has.”</p><p>
Profit first took a leadership role in the soybean industry in 1992 when he joined the Ohio Soybean Assoc. (OSA). By working closely with the OSC, he became very interested in what the soybean checkoff was doing for Ohio’s soybean farmers, and in 2000 he was elected to serve on the OSC board.</p><p>
Since that time, Profit has been a part of many OSC projects and served as chairman of the International Marketing and New Uses committees. He played a major role in the development of the Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center (OBIC), which brings together the agriculture and chemical industries, and currently represents OSC on the OBIC board of directors.</p><p>
“The amount of new technology that is being created from soybeans is amazing. I see a bright future for soybean new uses, and I will continue to support research in this area both in Ohio and now, at the national level, as well,” Profit said.</p><p>
Profit has also been a longtime supporter of OSC’s international marketing efforts, and he has traveled internationally to help promote Ohio soybeans. In 2006, Profit promoted the establishment of OSC’s international office in Shanghai, China. The goal of this office is to find new markets and increase exports of Ohio soybeans.</p><p>
“Exports of Ohio soybeans are vital to the health of Ohio’s soybean industry, and Dale understands this,” said John Lumpe, OSC executive director. “He will be an asset to USB and represent Ohio soybean farmers very well.”</p><p>
Profit operates Agracola Farms with his brother and son, farming 2,400 acres of soybeans, corn and wheat. He and his wife, Judith, have three children and seven grandchildren.</p><p>
In addition to recognizing Profit’s accomplishments, the OSC board of trustees also welcomed two new board members during its annual meeting.</p><p>
Patrick Knouff of Shelby County was elected to represent District 7, consisting of Mercer, Auglaize and Shelby Counties. Knouff replaces retiring board member Ellen Joslin.</p><p>
Terry McClure of Paulding County was appointed to the board to represent District 4, consisting of Paulding, Van Wert and Allen Counties. McClure replaces Dale Profit, who now assumes an ex-officio position after his appointment to the USB board of directors.
“Patrick and Terry will be a great addition to the OSC board,” said Lumpe. “Both of them bring a tremendous amount of experience with them, and are eager to represent Ohio’s soybean farmers and the soybean checkoff.”</p><p>
Knouff currently raises soybeans and corn, as well as a herd of heifers on his farm. He is a member of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, as well as the OSA. Also an active member of the community, Knouff volunteers at his local YMCA, participates in The Ohio State University Alumni Assoc. and is a member of Grace Lutheran Church.</p><p>
“I’m really excited to be a part of OSC and help Ohio’s soybean farmers,” said Knouff. “I will work very hard to represent my district in a positive way.”</p><p>
McClure farms soybeans, corn and wheat, and has a hog operation. He is a member of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Assoc., the Ohio Pork Producers Council and the Ohio Corn Growers Assoc. He also currently serves on the Ohio Wheat Growers Assoc. board of directors.</p><p>
“I am aware of the good work the soybean checkoff has done in the past and I want to help continue that great tradition,” said McClure. “It is important to continue to use well the Ohio soybean farmers’ checkoff.”</p><p>
Headquartered in Columbus, the OSC is governed by an 18-member volunteer farmer board, and the USB, headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., is governed by 64 farmer-directors representing all U.S. soybean farmers. Both programs seek to improve soybean profitability by targeting research and development projects through the investment of farmer-contributed funds.