Soy Transportation Coalition elects officers for 2013

The Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) announced its newly elected officers at its December 10 board meeting in New Orleans. 

Patrick Knouff of Minster, Ohio, was elected Chairman.  Knouff raises corn and soybeans, as well as a herd of heifers on his farm with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children.  He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Ohio Soybean Council and is a member of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.  Knouff has served as Vice Chairman of the STC the previous two years.  

"I am pleased to be selected as Chairman of the Soy Transportation Coalition,” Knouff says.  “The organization has an aggressive agenda this upcoming year.  We are concerned with the condition of our roads, bridges, rail infrastructure, inland waterways, and ports.  If we do not properly maintain these critical assets, the profitability of soybean farmers will be affected.  We look forward to promoting innovative solutions to a number of these transportation challenges facing our industry.”  

Scott Gauslow of Colfax, North Dakota, was elected Vice Chairman of the STC.  Gauslow grows soybeans and corn on his farm with his wife, Jessica, and their two children.  He has been a board member of the Soy Transportation Coalition since the organization’s inception in 2007.  Gauslow currently serves as Vice Chairman of the North Dakota Soybean Council.  

“Having access to cost effective and reliable transportation is essential to the profitability of soybean farmers in this country, particularly in areas like North Dakota,” says Gauslow.  “A high percentage of soybeans grown in North Dakota and many other parts of the country are not consumed locally.  Our customers are often located in Asia and other overseas markets, which places significant pressure on our transportation infrastructure.  I am anxious to pursue initiatives that will move the needle in a positive way to make sure what soybean farmers grow can be delivered to a growing customer base.”  

Gerry Hayden of Calhoun, Kentucky, was elected Secretary-Treasurer.  A previous Chairman of the Kentucky Soybean Board, Gerry and his wife, Judy, raise cattle and grow soybeans, corn, wheat, and hay.  Gerry and Judy have two children and two grandchildren.  

Hayden states, “The Soy Transportation Coalition was created to educate farmers and other ag stakeholders of the importance of transportation to our success as well as explore solutions to many of these infrastructure problems.  I look forward to working on this important initiative.”