Michigan Soybean Committee

What Michigan Soybean Committee does

The Michigan Soybean Committee (MSC) is a state-level commodity checkoff organization established under Michigan Public Act 232 in 1976 and headquartered at 3055 W M-21, St. Johns, Michigan. It is a farmer-led quasi-governmental body governed by a seven-member board of soybean farmers appointed by Michigan's governor to three-year, three-term maximums. MSC directs the Michigan portion of the soybean checkoff program — a mandatory 0.5% assessment on the market price per bushel of soybeans sold, collected by first purchasers (elevators, grain dealers, seed handlers) at point of sale. Half of collections are remitted to the United Soybean Board for national programs; the remaining half funds MSC's in-state portfolio.

The organization's programmatic portfolio spans three pillars: production research (on-farm trials distributed to 10,000+ growers, MSU AgBio Research collaboration, Red Crown Rot diagnostic sampling, licensed MSU-developed varieties), market development (high oleic soybean promotion with 15 commercial varieties and $0.50–$1.50/bushel premiums, biodiesel/renewable diesel/SAF via MiABC, USSEC/WISHH international market work, soy aquaculture), and outreach (Soybeans Go To School curriculum for grades 3–5, Pods for Profit podcast, YouTube channel, newsletter, Great Lakes Crops Summit participation). The organization is staffed by 7 personnel including CEO Ben Steyer (appointed January 16, 2023), three directors (Communication, Research, Outreach), and specialists in Market Development, Accounting & Compliance, and an Accounting role. MSC reports no parent company beyond its statutory 50% revenue share to USB, has no subsidiaries, and no acquisition or funding activity. Customers are statutory: 12,000+ Michigan soybean farmers as beneficiaries and first purchasers as collection agents.

Name

Michigan Soybean Committee

Legal name

Michigan Soybean Committee

Website

https://michigansoybean.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Michigan Soybean Committee is a farmer-led state commodity checkoff organization, established under Michigan Public Act 232 in 1976, that collects a mandatory 0.5% assessment on Michigan soybean sales and invests the funds in production research, market development, and outreach for the state's 12,000+ soybean farmers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Commodity Promotion

NAICS

Soybean Farming (111110)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Soybean Farming (AFAGABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Plant Tissue, Soil & Water Sampling Coordination (Agronomy-Focused) (AFACABAH), Crop Rotation & Whole-Farm Cropping Systems Design (AFACABAJ)

Keywords

• Soybean checkoff
• Commodity promotion
• Agricultural research
• Market development
• Grower outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

St. Johns

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Soybean Checkoff Assessment: The Michigan Soybean Committee is financed through the first sale of Michigan soybeans. When a grower sells soybeans, the first purchaser collects 0.5% (1/2 of one percent) of the value of the soybeans sold. Half of checkoff dollars collected are utilized by MSC and half are sent to the United Soybean Board. The checkoff was created under Public Act 232 in 1976 and the national checkoff began in 1991.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Michigan Soybean Committee is a state-authorized non-profit commodity checkoff organization that invests soybean farmer assessments in agronomic research, market development, consumer education, and outreach to support Michigan's soybean industry. It collects a per-sale assessment, forwards half to the United Soybean Board, and uses the remainder to fund research projects, promotion campaigns, and grower programming statewide.

Product overview

Michigan Soybean Committee is a farmer-led agricultural organization that directs the soybean checkoff program in Michigan. The organization operates as a program portfolio rather than a unified software product. Core offerings include the soybean checkoff program collecting assessments from soybean sales, a funded research program conducted in collaboration with Michigan State University, an on-farm research program providing producers with field study tools, and market development initiatives including high oleic soybean promotion and international marketing. Educational offerings include the Soybeans Go To School curriculum kit for grades 3-5 and the Pods for Profit podcast series. The organization also offers licensed soybean varieties developed by MSU, red crown rot diagnostic sampling services, and resources for first purchasers including remittance forms and compliance guidance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Soybean Agronomic Research Program Funds and coordinates applied research projects on soybean production, varieties, and agronomic practices for the benefit of Michigan soybean farmers.
• Soybean Market Development and Promotion Develops and supports domestic and international markets for Michigan-grown soybeans through promotion and partnership activities.
• Consumer and Producer Soy Education Delivers outreach and educational content to consumers and producers about soybean uses, nutrition, and on-farm practices.
• Checkoff Assessment Collection and Administration Collects and administers the soybean checkoff assessment on soybean sales in Michigan, forwarding half of collected funds to the United Soybean Board.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% when using biodiesel instead of petroleum-based fuels
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United Soybean BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991National checkoff organization that directs the national soybean checkoff beginning in 1991. MSC sends half of checkoff dollars collected to USB. USB's 77 farmer-leaders invest in research, education and promotion across Infrastructure & Connectivity, Health & Nutrition, and Innovation & Technology priority areas.
• Michigan Soybean AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working with MSC on grower programs, membership, and legislative advocacy. The two organizations collaborate on behalf of Michigan soybean farmers.
• Michigan State University AgBio ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative soybean research effort between MSC and MSU's AgBio Research. Focus areas include non-GMO food and feed-grade variety development, modified soybean oil variety development, and germplasm development for Michigan-specific production challenges.
• Soy Transportation CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative effort of soybean states working together on transportation issues including roads, bridges, rail and water infrastructure.
• U.S. Soy Export Council (USSEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSC is an active member providing technical assistance to established markets, building preference for U.S. soybeans, promoting soy in feed and aquaculture, and connecting industry leaders globally.
• World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWISHH focuses on technical transfer and behavior change efforts on agricultural value chains, fueling economic growth with U.S. soy and improving nutrition for humans and animals.
• Soy Aquaculture AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for promotion of soy in marine and freshwater fish feeds as a renewable fishmeal resource.
• Michigan Advanced Biofuels Coalition (MiABC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram funded by MSC that supports energy security and improves air and environmental quality through advanced biofuels including biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.
• Clean Fuels Alliance AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization working with soybean industry to develop biodiesel and improve renewable energy technology.
• North Central Soybean Research ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research program addressing soybean production challenges across the north central region.
• Michigan State University ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSU Extension provides field crop pathology expertise, soybean resources, and educational content through their YouTube channel and publications.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Illinois Soybean Association: Checkoff-funded state soybean organization serving Illinois growers with research, market development, and outreach programs analogous to MSC's portfolio.
• Iowa Soybean Association: State-level soybean farmer organization representing Iowa growers through checkoff-funded research, market development, and advocacy. Closely comparable structure, programs, and funding model to MSC.
• Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council: Minnesota's soybean checkoff body directing farmer-funded research, promotion, and market development for Minnesota soybean growers; closely aligned with MSC's mission and governance.
• Indiana Soybean Alliance: Indiana's state soybean checkoff organization with parallel research, promotion, and market development programs targeting Indiana soybean farmers.
• North Dakota Soybean Council: State soybean checkoff organization funding research and market development for North Dakota soybean farmers; comparable scale and program mix to MSC.
• Ohio Soybean Council: Ohio's soybean farmer checkoff organization providing research funding, market development, and education for Ohio soybean producers using a structurally similar model.
• Michigan Soybean Association: MSC's named partner organization handling membership, legislative advocacy, and grower programs for Michigan soybean farmers; distinct function (advocacy vs. checkoff) but explicitly co-serves the same farmer base.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Soybean Export Council: National export promotion body that MSC actively partners with to build international preference for U.S. soybeans; operates at a broader geographic scale with overlapping market development goals.
• United Soybean Board: National-level soybean checkoff organization that receives half of MSC's collected assessments and directs national research, promotion, and market development. Direct counterparty in the same checkoff structure.

Regional players

• Wisconsin Soybean Association: Wisconsin-based soybean grower organization with adjacent checkoff-style programs for Upper Midwest farmers; comparable regional focus and target audience to MSC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights1 record

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLRQvSSSeAopPsHwGdNa5Dw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/michigan-soybean-promotion-committee

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Michigan Soybean Committee