Ohio Soybean Council

What Ohio Soybean Council does

The Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) is a farmer-governed, federally mandated checkoff organization founded in 1991 that invests half of the 0.5% soybean sales assessment collected from Ohio farmers (the other half flows to the United Soybean Board) into research, demand development, and communication and education. OSC is headquartered in Worthington, Ohio, with a small staff (1–10) supplemented by farmer-elected board leadership, and operates alongside a separate membership-based policy advocacy affiliate, the Ohio Soybean Association (OSA).

OSC's core product surface is organized around four pillars: (1) Airable Research Lab, a wholly owned division developed in partnership with Battelle that commercializes soy-based materials including Roof Maxx, DEWALT Bar and Chain Oil, Leather Conditioner, and Multi-use Oil and has earned multiple R&D 100 awards with royalty-generating licenses; (2) GrowNextGen, a K-12 agricultural education platform that has reached more than 20,000 teachers and 500,000 students; (3) the Ohio Soybean Immersion Experience (OSIE), a three-phase supply-chain immersion program launched for 2026; and (4) the Ohio Soybean Council Foundation (OSCF), a 501(c)(3) entity established in 2007 that administers scholarships ($730,000+ since 2008) and the Ohio Soybean Bioscience Award at the State Science Day.

Revenue mechanics are assessment-driven rather than transactional: OSC's funding scales with Ohio soybean production volume and per-bushel prices, providing a countercyclical exposure to U.S. soybean export demand (≈50% of Ohio output is exported through USSEC partnerships) and domestic end markets including animal agriculture (≈30 million bushels/year of soybean meal), biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel feedstock. Strategic partnerships span Battelle (R&D), Clean Fuels Alliance America (biofuels), Benchmark Biodiesel, Optimus Technologies, Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio Corn & Wheat, and the American Soybean Association.

Name

Ohio Soybean Council

Legal name

Ohio Soybean Council

Website

https://soyohio.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Ohio Soybean Council is a federally mandated, farmer-governed checkoff organization that invests Ohio soybean farmer assessments into research, demand development, and education to maximize soybean value and farm profitability. It operates Airable Research Lab, GrowNextGen, and the OSC Foundation in Worthington, Ohio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Checkoff Program Management

NAICS

Soybean Farming (11111)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Soybean Farming (AFAGABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL)

Keywords

• Soybean checkoff program
• Agricultural research
• Biobased product development
• Commodity market development
• Agricultural education

Headquarters

HQ city

Worthington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Soybean Checkoff Funds: Ohio soybean farmers pay one half of one percent (0.5%) of the bushel price to the soybean checkoff when they sell soybeans. OSC collects those funds and sends half to the United Soybean Board. The other half is invested under the direction of a board of soybean farmers from Ohio who are elected by their peers for research, education, domestic and foreign markets, including new uses for soybeans and soybean products.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ohio Soybean Council is a nonprofit checkoff organization that manages soybean checkoff contributions collected from Ohio soybean farmers. It invests those funds into research, market development, and education programs — including operating the Airable Research Lab for soy-based product commercialization, the GrowNextGen K-12 education platform, the Ohio Soybean Immersion Experience, international marketing, biofuels promotion, and scholarship programs.

Product overview

The Ohio Soybean Council operates as a commodity organization funded by soybean checkoff contributions, with two main divisions: the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) managing checkoff investments in research, demand development, and education, and the Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) focused on policy advocacy and membership. The OSC's core products include Airable Research Lab for soy-based R&D and product commercialization, GrowNextGen web-based K-12 agricultural education reaching over 500,000 students, the Ohio Soybean Immersion Experience (OSIE) supply chain education program, the Ohio Soybean News Magazine published six times yearly, and the Ohio Soybean Council Foundation managing $47,000 in annual scholarships plus Science Fair awards. The Council also drives demand through international marketing, animal agriculture support, and soy-based biofuels programs including biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Airable Research Lab A soy-based research and product development lab, entirely funded by soybean checkoff dollars, working with commercial and industrial clients to develop soy-based materials and final products including Roof Maxx, Leather Conditioner, DEWALT Bar and Chain Oil, and Multi-use Oil.
• GrowNextGen A web-based K-12 agriculture education program where students learn about agriculture through the lens of science, technology, and humanities, including curriculum, virtual field trips, student research projects, and educator workshops.
• Ohio Soybean Immersion Experience (OSIE) A three-part comprehensive program showcasing the soybean supply chain and the role of the soybean checkoff, designed to give farmers and stakeholders a deeper understanding of how checkoff investments create opportunities and demand.
• Ohio Soybean News Magazine A six-times-yearly publication covering news, policy updates, and industry information for Ohio soybean farmers.
• Ohio Soybean Bioscience Award (Science Fair) Awards presented through the Ohio Academy of Science Science Fair for the best science projects using soybeans in agriculture biosciences, bioresources, biopolymers, bioproducts, biofuels, biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, and earth and environmental sciences.
• Soy-Based Biofuels Program Demand-side programs supporting biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from soybean oil, working with industry partners to promote soy-based biofuels.
• Ohio Soybean Council Foundation Scholarships Scholarship program offering $47,000 annually in scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students for studies related to the soybean industry and agriculture, administered by the Ohio Soybean Council Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 71% of Americans would prefer bioproducts over petroleum-based products if cost is equivalent
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSC works closely with USSEC for international marketing efforts including trade team visits, market research, and customer outreach. USSEC helps create forums where soybean buyers can meet with Ohio exporters, farmers, and universities to discuss Ohio's soybean quality.
• Clean Fuels Alliance AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSC works closely with Clean Fuels Alliance America to support efforts to increase biodiesel demand. The partnership promotes soy-based biofuels as the first commercially available nationwide advanced biofuel meeting EPA standards.
• United Soybean BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner receiving half of checkoff contributions. United Soybean Board directs national soybean promotion, research, and consumer information activities with farmer-elected board members.
• Benchmark BiodieselminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSC partners with Benchmark Biodiesel to encourage production and usage of biodiesel in Ohio, supporting domestic biofuel markets for soybean oil.
• Optimus TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSC partners with Optimus Technologies to encourage production and usage of biodiesel, helping to expand markets for soy-based fuels.
• Ohio Poultry and Livestock IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal agriculture is the No. 1 customer for U.S. soybean meal, utilizing 97% of production. OSC promotes Ohio soybean meal benefits to livestock producers including higher digestible amino acids, available phosphorus, and lower fiber content.
• U.S. Meat Export FederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to support international meat export markets which drive demand for soybean meal as animal feed.
• USA Poultry and Egg Export CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to support poultry and egg export markets which utilize soybean meal as feed, creating demand for Ohio soybeans.
• Soy Transportation CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to improve transportation infrastructure critical to agricultural success, supporting efficient movement of soybeans to domestic and international markets.
• Ohio Farm BureaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agricultural organization partner for policy advocacy and farm member services. Co-hosts events and collaborates on agricultural issues affecting Ohio soybean farmers.
• Ohio Corn & WheatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint hosting of events including Joint Presidents Reception recognizing Ohio farmers serving as national commodity organization presidents. Collaborative advocacy efforts.
• Ohio Academy of SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Ohio Soybean Bioscience Award at the State Science Day. Awards for best science projects using soybeans in agriculture biosciences, biopolymers, biofuels, and related fields.
• GrowNextGencoreOthersWeb-based agriculture education program funded by OSC reaching K-12 teachers and students. Program includes curriculum, virtual field trips, student research projects, and educator workshops.
• American Soybean AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational affiliate for federal policy advocacy. OSA works with ASA on federal policy initiatives including legislative resolutions and Soy Action Center engagement.
• BattellecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner through Airable Research Lab for soy-based R&D. Battelle scientists including Dr. Bhima Vijayendran have contributed to soybean research and commercialization activities. Partnership has produced multiple R&D 100 awards.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council: Minnesota's state soybean checkoff council. Operates an equivalent farmer-checkoff investment model into checkoff-funded research, promotion and international market development, making it a structurally identical Midwestern peer.
• Illinois Soybean Association: Checkoff-funded soybean organization in the second-largest U.S. producing state. Runs an analogous Research, Communications and Market Development program targeting international demand, biodiesel and soy-based products.
• United Soybean Board: National soybean checkoff organization that receives 50% of every state's soybean checkoff assessment and directs national promotion, research and consumer information. OSC's federal program partner and functional parent at the national level.
• Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board: Wisconsin's state soybean checkoff board. Direct structural counterpart to OSC: farmer-elected, federally-mandated assessment, invests in research, market development and education for Wisconsin soybean farmers.
• American Soybean Association (ASA): National soybean policy and trade advocacy organization. Operates as the federal legislative counterpart to OSC's checkoff mandate — both organizations coordinate closely, including on the Soy Action Center and Capitol Hill engagement.
• Indiana Soybean Alliance: State soybean checkoff and membership organization for Indiana farmers. Comparable funding mechanism, farmer-elected board, R&D, market development and policy advocacy structure to OSC.
• U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC): OSC's primary international marketing partner. USSEC builds preference for U.S. soy in international markets through trade teams, marketing and technical service — the same demand-development channel OSC directly funds via the checkoff.
• Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council: Missouri's state-level soybean checkoff organization, administering farmer-funded investments in research, market promotion and education for another leading soybean-producing state.
• Iowa Soybean Association: Largest U.S. state soybean checkoff and association, executing a structurally identical model of state-level checkoff investment, farmer governance, R&D funding, international marketing and policy advocacy in the top soybean-producing state.

Broad incumbents

• National Corn Growers Association: Parallel national commodity checkoff/membership organization for corn growers. Operates an analogous farmer-funded model of policy advocacy, market development, R&D and grower education — the closest analogue across a different commodity.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ohiosoycouncil
• Facebookfacebook.com/ohiosoybeancouncil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ohio-soybean-council-ohio-soybean-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ohio Soybean Council