At a pivotal moment for the U.S. soy industry, Courtney Knupp is stepping in to lead the United Soybean Board (USB) as its new CEO, starting Oct. 1. Bringing nearly two decades of experience spanning the USDA, National Security Council, and checkoff leadership, Knupp aims to drive return on investment for farmers through a push for bio-based products and product innovation.
“Farmers are facing a really tough farm economy right now,” Knupp told AgDay’s Michelle Rook. “We’re very aware of that. We want to play offense.”
Adding Tools to the Farmer’s Toolbox
With high input costs squeezing on-farm profitability, Knupp views this as a defining era for the U.S. soybean crop. Survival and growth, she says, will depend on putting practical innovations directly into the hands of growers.
“We want to have options that can help them on the input front as much as possible,” Knupp says. She notes that achieving this requires deep collaboration. “We will work in lockstep with our partners at the state level, other commodity groups, and of course, the American Soybean Association and U.S. Soybean Export Council.”
Executing the Strategic Plan
As she prepares to transition into her new role, Knupp is focused on the final year of USB’s current strategic plan, which guides how checkoff dollars are invested in research, promotion and market expansion.
“The strategic plan is laser-focused on the different types of demand areas and bringing innovation and farmer footprints to that,” she says. “It’s really about sticking the landing, taking key assessments of how things went, and making sure we execute on those tactics that will move the needle in our long-term bets through the next fiscal year.”
To do that, the organization must remain agile. “One thing that will never change is that the consumer is constantly changing,” Knupp adds. “We must pivot to address the best opportunities at the right time for farmers.”
Unlocking Value Through Bio-Based Innovation
From soy-based foams and industrial uses to culinary innovations, Knupp is highly optimistic about the soy pipeline. She sees the rapidly expanding bio-based sector as one of the industry’s greatest frontiers.
“We have great partners, and we want to amplify the great work being done at universities supporting the use of soybeans,” she says. “I predict you will see U.S. soy in more of your daily goods that consumers won’t even realize—serving as clean, high-performing alternatives to traditional petroleum-based inputs. We’re always open to ideas from anyone on how we can leverage investments to explore new spaces.”
Putting Farmers First
As she prepares to make this transition to lead USB, Knupp says she won’t let the organization lose sight of its “North Star” – that they work for farmers. She believes everything USB does should add value to farmers.
“As long as we keep that mentality and farmer leadership at the helm, we are going to have great success and continue the great work of USB, just as it has done for 35 years,” she says.
A Proven Ag Background
Knupp brings nearly two decades of experience spanning agriculture, international trade, public policy and market development. In her current position at the National Security Council, she coordinates federal policy to fortify food and agricultural supply chains against geopolitical shocks. She previously served as a senior policy advisor on trade and food safety to the U.S. Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
Her checkoff and export experience includes serving as vice president of international market development at the National Pork Board, where U.S. pork exports grew to $8.6 billion, and as director of global animal and aquaculture nutrition at the U.S. Soybean Export Council, where she led strategy to increase the value of U.S. soybean and soybean meal exports.
Earlier in her career, Knupp held chief of staff roles at the USDA, led international trade policy for the National Pork Producers Council and held commercial roles at BASF and Elanco Animal Health. She grew up on her family’s farm in Iowa, where she remains engaged, and earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and international agriculture from Iowa State University.
“Courtney is the right leader at the right time to advance the work of the Soy Checkoff℠ and our vision of delivering sustainable soy solutions to every life, every day,” says Brent Gatton, USB chair. “She brings the strategic vision, deep agricultural understanding and proven leadership our farmer-leaders set out to find, along with a genuine commitment to increasing return on investment for U.S. soybean farmers. We look forward to the momentum she will bring to our mission.”
Knupp will relocate to the United Soybean Board’s headquarters in Chesterfield, Mo. Knupp will remain a federal employee until early September and has recused herself from soybean matters. Her anticipated start date will be Oct. 1.
