Ag Management Solutions, the Mankato-based organization that oversees the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and several more organizations, took home eight awards Tuesday at the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Region 3 Best of NAMA awards in Des Moines.

For the second year in a row – and the fourth time in five years – the Council was recognized for its Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report. MSGA again earned accolades for its in-house magazine, Soybean Business. The magazine submitted two issues for consideration: its May-June 2021 edition and the September-October 2021 issue, which featured a cover story on President Mike Skaug and was written, designed and edited entirely by AMS staff. Both organizations earned a merit win for Minneline, the Council and MSGA’s official weekly e-newsletter. The Council was also also recognized for a biodiesel wrap campaign in the Twin Cities metro area. Minnesota Soybean has now earned regional NAMA honors for five straight years, and six of the past seven years.

“When I came to this organization nearly a decade ago, winning marketing and communication awards at the national level was, quite honestly, not on our radar,” said AMS CEO Tom Slunecka, who also serves as MSR&PC CEO. “Now, it’s become our standard, and that’s a testament to the vision set forth by our farmer-led boards. They set the path and we follow their direction.”  

AMS clients the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) and Northern Soy Marketing (NSM) also earned awards. SSGA earned a first-place award for its Member News, a biweekly e-newsletter. NSM won for a flier highlighting the superior quality of northern-grown soybeans, which was distributed at the Global Trade Exchange in August 2021.

“Once again, our communications team has raised the creative bar and delivered quality work on behalf of our growing list of clients,” AMS Sr. Director of Communications Doug Monson said. “To have been recognized by our industry peers for our campaigns across a number of media platforms – from print to digital to radio – is extremely gratifying.”

Each of AMS’ winning entries will be eligible to compete at the national Best of 2022 ceremony April 6-8 in Kansas City, Mo.