(MN Soybean News Release) – During its June 17 board meeting, the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) elected a new slate of officers to lead the organization tasked with directing Minnesota’s soybean checkoff investments.  

Gail Donkers, who represents District 8 on the board, was appointed chair by her peers, becoming MSR&PC’s first female to hold the position in the Council’s history.   

Donkers and her husband, Jim, and their extended family raise soybeans, corn, dairy steers, finishing hogs and sheep. After two years as Council vice chair, Donkers is replacing Tom Frisch, who stepped down after two years as chair and will remain on the board.

“It’s been an honor to be chair, and I have all the faith that Gail is going to do great things in this position,” Frisch told his colleagues. “She is ready to lead this team, and I couldn’t be more proud to have her step into this role.”  

Guided by an elected, farmer-volunteer board of directors, the Council ensures that soybean checkoff investments are made with the best interests of Minnesota soybean growers in mind. Having a solid officer team at the helm is crucial to MSR&PC’s continued success. Rounding out the 2025-2026 officer team is Ben Storm as vice chair, Glen Groth as treasurer and Pat Sullivan returning as secretary. 

As the 12th-largest state in size, Minnesota’s geographical landscape looks drastically different in each unique region, making it critical that soybean growers from all parts of the state are represented when checkoff investment decisions are being made.