Photo courtesy of Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) supports programs that build emerging markets for U.S. soybeans. Recently, Tyler farmer and MSR&PC member Joel Schreurs (seated, at far right) was elected to serve as Soy Excellence Center treasurer.

A Tyler area farmer will be taking on a new role, with a program that provides people in developing countries with resources and education to grow agribusinesses.

Last week, the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council announced that Council director Joel Schreurs was elected to serve as treasurer of the Soy Excellence Center (SEC). SEC works to build emerging markets for soybeans by offering workforce training at five international facilities, MSR&PC said in a news release. The program is supported by soybean checkoff dollars.

“To me, it’s a win-win,” Schreurs said of the program. “It’s probably one of the best checkoff programs.” People around the world gain life-changing knowledge and training, he said. At the same time, U.S. soybean producers can help develop new markets.

The MSR&PC said Schreurs, who farms in Tyler, completed a year as secretary of the U.S. Soybean Export Council board, and will now represent the council on SEC’s Global Advisory Panel.

SEC was founded in 2019 with checkoff support from state and national groups, the MSR&PC said. Checkoff dollars come from fees paid by soybean producers, and the money is used to promote and develop market opportunities for soybeans.

SEC offers education and training in fields like raising poultry and swine, aquaculture, and feed milling, MSR&PC said. Schreurs said SEC started out by partnering with organizations like universities in regions around the world, including the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and south Asia. About 32,000 individuals worldwide have gone through SEC programs, he said.

“We’re helping people by providing tools and education,” said Gail Donkers, who was recently appointed to represent MSR&PC on SEC’s Global Advisory Panel. “I’m proud to support SEC’s mission and look forward to helping develop new markets,” she said.

“The SEC has helped drive demand, and I tell people it’s exceeded my wildest expectations,” USSEC CEO Jim Sutter said.

Schreurs has served on SEC’s steering committee for the Americas for several years, and hopes to continue working in that region of the world, MSR&PC said.

“It’s been a really enlightening experience,” Schreurs said. He’s been able to see the impact that SEC training has had on people working in agriculture. One example was getting to visit an aquaculture business in Honduras that made use of soybean meal as animal feed. He said he also had a chance to meet people who got SEC training during a conference in Colombia.

“We’ve gotten to visit with individuals who are going through the program,” Schreurs said. “The people I visited with were just so appreciative. They see a pathway to move up,” he said.