ST. LOUIS – Meet domestic and international customers, see where soybeans go beyond the elevator and evaluate the work of the soy checkoff.

That’s what farmers will experience during the United Soybean Board’s See for Yourself program.

See for Yourself offers 10 soybean farmers from around the country the opportunity to see and evaluate the work of the checkoff firsthand.

From the use of U.S. soy by domestic companies to the export of U.S. soy to customers around the world, See for Yourself shows program participants the checkoff’s role in maximizing U.S. soybean farmer profitability.

“The program showed me that the soy industry is so much more than what we do on each of our farms – it’s a global industry,” said Nathan Brown, a Hillsboro, Ohio, soybean farmer and 2015 program participant. “The program also allowed me to see how USB invests our checkoff dollars.”

Accompanied by checkoff farmer-leaders, participants will meet a diverse set of customers, both domestic and international, and see a variety of sites that represent end uses for U.S. soy, such as animal agriculture, the food industry and industrial users.

Along the way, USB farmer-leaders will share greater insight into the process and rationale behind checkoff investments.

“The program is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Keith Tapp, chair of the USB audit and evaluation committee, which sponsors See for Yourself. “Participants get the opportunity to see the checkoff up close and the work it does to improve the bottom line for U.S. soybean farmers across the country.”

All U.S. soybean farmers over the age of 18 can apply through April 1 by visiting the USB website, www.UnitedSoybean.org/SeeforYourself.

The tour is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 8 through 12.