United Soybean Board opens nominations for Tom Oswald Legacy Award, Industry Excellence Award

“Tom Oswald taught us that great leadership means asking hard questions and always looking for a better way forward, and our industry continues to be shaped by people who share that same drive,” said Brent Gatton, USB chair and Kentucky farmer. “As we open nominations for the Tom Oswald Legacy Award and the Industry Excellence Award, I encourage everyone in the soy community to help us recognize the individuals and organizations making a difference for U.S. Soy.” 

Tom Oswald Legacy Award

This annual award honors the late Tom Oswald, who will always be remembered as a passionate farmer-leader and dedicated volunteer. The award recognizes someone who went above and beyond to advance research and move Soy Checkoff investments forward in unconventional ways. 

An Iowa soybean and corn farmer, Oswald served eight years as a USB director and three years on the USB executive committee. He frequently posed the question, “How do we make it better-er?” That question captured what he valued most: the extra steps, thoughts and efforts it takes to go beyond expectations and deliver the best possible outcome. 

Since the award was established in 2023, recipients have included inaugural honoree Ken Bader, recognized for his role envisioning and helping create the Soy Checkoff; Ed Anderson, honored in 2024 for his leadership in improving soybean genetics and agronomic production; Mike Steenhoek, honored in 2025 for his work advancing soybean transportation and export infrastructure, and Sandy Ludeman in 2026 for helping draft the legislation, build consensus among industry partners, and guide the national Soy Checkoff through its first farmer referendum. 

Industry Excellence Award

The Industry Excellence Award is an annual recognition honoring an individual, organization or group that has made a significant and lasting impact on the growth and advancement of the U.S. Soy industry. Recipients are selected based on their demonstrated success in expanding markets, developing new applications for U.S. Soy, strengthening the value chain or driving commercial innovation that benefits U.S. Soy farmers. The inaugural award will celebrate a recipient whose vision and achievements have helped position U.S. Soy as a leader in domestic and global markets. The program is in its second year and the inaugural recipient was Jim Sutter. 

Visit this site to submit a nomination – 2027 Award Nominations. Both awards will be presented at Commodity Classic, March 3-5, 2027, in New Orleans.  

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About United Soybean Board 
United Soybean Board’s 77 farmer-leaders work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to increase demand, drive on-farm resilience and ensure farmers achieve maximum value for their Soy Checkoff investments. These volunteers create value through strategic partnerships across research, promotion and education investments – spanning the food, feed, fuel, industrial uses, exports and sustainable production market segments. USB also focuses its communication and education efforts on strengthening the reputation of U.S. Soy with customers, amplifying checkoff investments to inform U.S. soybean farmers and partnering with the 30+ Qualified State Soybean Boards on research and outreach. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the Soy Checkoff. For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit soycheckoff.org.