MSR&PC Now Accepting Producer Applications for 2010 See for Yourself Program

MANKATO, MN (10/19/2009)(readMedia)-- The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) is encouraging all Minnesota soybean producers to apply to attend a See for Yourself (SFY) mission in 2010.

"Now in its fifth year, the nationally recognized See for Yourself program offers soybean farmers the chance to study and evaluate how their soybean checkoff dollars are being invested," says MSR&PC Chairman Jim Willers of Beaver Creek, Minn. "The participants of each mission are expected to listen and learn so they can provide feedback to members of the checkoff board, conduct media interviews and share what they learned with fellow farmers when they return."

Three evaluation missions are currently being planned from the last week in January through the second week of February 2010. Participants will either travel to Grapevine, TX; New Orleans, LA & Atlanta GA; or Santiago, Chile, where they will learn about checkoff investments in soybean variety development, international trade and biodiesel.

In exchange for their work, all participant travel expenses are covered and arrangements are made by the MN Soybean Office.

Applications are now available online at www.mnsoybean.org and in the latest issue of News & Views magazine. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 13, 2009. Applications will be reviewed by board members and selected participants will be notified via phone in early December.

Completed applications should be submitted via mail (MN Soybean, 151 Saint Andrews Court, Suite 710, Mankato, MN 56001), fax (507-388-6751) or email (Naomi@mnsoybean.com.) For additional program information, please call the MN Soybean Office at 888-896-9678.

The council is also seeking non-producer applicants such as ag instructors, first purchasers, biodiesel distributors, diesel instructors, crop consultants and others who are closely tied to agriculture and would benefit from these missions. Please call 888-896-9678 to obtain a special application.

The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) is made up of an elected board of 15 soybean producers from the crop reporting districts in the state. The mission of the council is to invest soybean checkoff dollars in well-defined research, marketing, education and commercialization programs designed to increase demand and thereby improve the profitability of Minnesota's soybean farmers.