ST. CHARLES, Mo. (Dec. 10, 2025) — Farmer-leaders of the United Soybean Board (USB) elected Brent Gatton from Bremen, Ky., as the new chair during the organization’s December board meeting in St. Charles, Mo. He’s joined by nine newly elected farmer-leaders to serve alongside him on the Executive Committee for the upcoming year.
“Farmers have weathered a year marked by real economic uncertainty, and I’m privileged to step into this role at such a pivotal moment,” said Brent Gatton, newly elected USB Chair. “The Soy Checkoff remains relentlessly focused on creating value for U.S. soybean farmers by protecting existing markets, accelerating new uses, and opening new doors for U.S. soy around the world. As Chair, I’m focused on pushing forward investments that move volume while also promoting our sustainability to keep U.S. soybean farmers competitive in the global marketplace.”
The newly elected USB Executive Committee includes:
- Brent Gatton, Chair – Kentucky
- Matt Gast, Vice Chair – North Dakota
- Susan Watkins, Treasurer – Virginia
- Tom Frisch, Secretary – Minnesota
- Robb Ewoldt – Iowa
- Tony Mellenthin – Wisconsin
- Carla Schultz – Michigan
- Don Wyss – Indiana
- Joey Boudreaux – Louisiana
- Kyle Durham – Missouri
- Philip Good – Mississippi (Past Chair)
Gatton, a fifth-generation farmer who raises soybeans, corn and wheat with his wife and three sons, brings a great deal of experience to the Chair role. He has served on the United Soybean Board for the past seven years and has held key leadership positions, including Vice Chair of USB and Chair of the Value Alignment Committee. Previously, Gatton also served on the board as Treasurer and Chair of the Audit & Evaluation Committee. In addition to his USB appointments, he also serves as Vice Chairman of the Kentucky Soybean Board, is a director on the Muhlenberg County Farm Bureau Board, and a director on the Sacramento Deposit Bank Board.
As the new Chair, Gatton will ensure FY26 investments and priorities across the market segments of food, feed, fuel, industrial uses, exports and sustainable production effectively grow demand for U.S. soy, drive on-farm resilience, and bring value to the nearly half-million U.S. soybean farmers. In the coming year, he will also focus on increasing greater communication and education efforts to strengthen the reputation of U.S. Soy with customers, amplify checkoff investments to inform U.S. soybean farmers, and enhance partnerships with 30+ state soybean boards on research, outreach and demand generation.
“Brent brings a deep understanding of what farmers are up against and where the greatest opportunities lie,” said Philip Good, USB’s Past Chair. “He is stepping into this role at a time when farmers need steady, strategic leadership, and his commitment to building demand – both here at home and across the globe – is exactly what this moment calls for. I’m confident Brent will guide the board with clarity and purpose as we continue investing in a stronger, more resilient future for U.S. soybean farmers.”
