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![]() Nov. 5, 2024
Source: American Soybean Association (ASA) Dr. Ken Bader, a longtime chief executive officer of the American Soybean Association, died in Chesterfield, Mo., on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the age of 90. Bader became CEO of ASA on October 1, 1976, and served 16 years until his departure in 1992. He came to ASA from a position as vice chancellor of the University of Nebraska. Bader was raised on a farm in Fairfield County, Ohio. ASA interviewed Bader in 2020 for an article in American Soybean magazine recognizing ASA's 100th anniversary. Bader reflected on his initial meeting with ASA leaders about the job and their vision. "They instilled confidence in me that they were truly wanting to move the association to a new level," he said. "Ken was a visionary leader," said ASA CEO Stephen Censky. "He led ASA at a time where ASA expanded its international marketing efforts and foreign offices from two to 12, creating new markets for U.S. soybean farmers in the process. While that is a marked accomplishment, Ken's greatest legacy is perhaps his work with soy leaders across the states to cultivate the support needed to successfully push Congress to establish the national soybean checkoff. That vision has paid dividends many times over." Bader's tenure with ASA was notable for many significant milestones such as these. With Bader's guidance in the CEO job, export market development activities moved into high gear. During the decade of the 1970s, there were substantial increases in soybean acres and production in the U.S., resulting in the overall value of soybeans growing from $3.2 billion in 1970 to an astounding $14.2 billion in 1979. In 1978, after having its office in the small town of Hudson, Iowa, for nearly 40 years, Bader led ASA's move to a world headquarters in St. Louis, Mo., where the association's domestic and foreign operations could be more efficiently coordinated. In 1980, Bader's leadership brought about consolidation of soybean market development activities by two foundations to create one new entity, the American Soybean Development Foundation, which contracted with ASA to conduct market development, research, promotion and educational activities to increase the usage of soybeans and soybean products throughout the world. Bader was at the helm of the organization in 1989 when ASA Voting Delegates approved a resolution to work toward a farmer-controlled national Soybean Promotion and Research Checkoff. Legislation creating a mandatory national soybean checkoff was authorized as part of the 1990 Farm Bill. Checkoff assessments of one-half of one percent on the sale of every bushel of soybeans to fund promotion and research activities began on Sept. 1, 1991. Bader's 16 years of leadership at ASA contributed to accelerated progress for the organization and increased crop value to U.S. soybean farmers. We appreciate his service and his legacy, which continues within our organization today. Tweet |
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