George Goblish was raised with his four sisters on the family farm in Redwood County. In addition to raising four children with his wife, Jenifer, Goblish cultivated a new farming family when he joined the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) and American Soybean Association (ASA).  

 “I grew up with no brothers, but I found my brothers in MSGA and ASA,” Goblish said. “It’s truly a connection that goes beyond friends. We’re thick as thieves.”  

Goblish might be leaving the family per se, but he’s still firmly in the fold. After almost 20 years as a director, governing board member and president with MSGA – along with 11 years on ASA – Goblish stepped down in December 2025 from both MSGA and ASA. He’s merely switching teams after being elected in spring 2025 to help direct soy checkoff dollars on the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council.  

“We really need new markets for our product because of our prices. We need to do something with our beans,” said Goblish, who represents District 7. “I’m excited to work with our board and industry to find those new markets and products to add demand.”  

As a longtime firefighter, Goblish is also supportive of the Council’s efforts in promoting soy-based firefighting foam.  

“I like looking at new products, and I’m so glad we’re moving forward with SoyFoam,” he said. “Soy products are everywhere now.” 

Goblish said the ascension of his fellow Redwood County producers on ASA, Adam Guetter and Jeff Sorenson, made his advocacy presence a bit redundant.  

The time arrived to pass the mantle to a new generation.  

“We’ve got plenty of good representation from Redwood County,” he said. “I don’t need to be there anymore on the policy side.”  

Goblish was honored by his peers at his final board meetings for a legacy of advocating, relationship building, visionary leadership and countless hours of bonding among friends. 

MSGA President Darin Johnson is taking Goblish’s seat on ASA and applauded the Vesta farmer for showing him the ropes and the gentle art of nonpartisan lobbying in the nation’s capital.  

“George is one of those leaders who isn’t afraid to step up and be a mentor along the way,” Johnson said. “He’s very well connected and has helped me build those relationships that he’s invested in, the time he’s devoted. He leaves big shoes to fill, but I know I have a lot of experienced directors on ASA backing me up.”  

Goblish was unable to attend his farewell ASA meeting in St. Louis. He was double-booked: As part of his new role on Council, Goblish attended a trade mission to the Philippines. Still, his colleagues in St. Louis paid tribute.  

“I don’t know of any other ASA director who spent more time and effort into creating a better board,” said MSR&PC Director Joel Schreurs, who’s worked alongside Goblish on MSR&PC, MSGA and ASA. “He worked really hard on a lot of different issues. George was so dedicated to the job at hand.”  

Piquing interest 

Goblish was serving on his county board when he was appointed to MSGA in 2006 after coaxing from his friend Tom Zeug. Goblish’s first meeting was held in the dark, crammed basement in MSGA’s former headquarters in North Mankato.  

“I said, ‘What are you getting me in to here, Tom?’” Goblish said, laughing. “But I sat there, and the discussions piqued my interest, and I said, ‘Yeah, I can fill in for you, Tom.’ And from there it snowballed into many other things.”  

Prior to becoming a director, Goblish found many side hustles to fill his winter calendar between growing seasons: milking cows, driving trucks and welding, before deciding that advocating would be less physically taxing, though more of an intellectual challenge.  

“Being a farmer, you’ve got to know something about things like the Farm Bill,” Goblish said. “But I didn’t know the first thing about lobbying and never in my wildest dreams thought I’d go to the state Capitol, let alone D.C., and advocate on behalf of soybean farmers.”  

Growers elected Goblish to MSGA’s officer team. He served a year as vice president under the late Bruce Schmoll and became president in 2013. During his two years leading MSGA, Goblish helped oversee a smooth transition to B10 (10% biodiesel), made the first defenses against Gov. Dayton’s buffer initiative and brought MSGA’s membership numbers to record highs.  

Goblish, a former FFA chapter president, said presiding over MSGA and visiting legislative offices felt natural. Goblish also served six years on the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council. His son Jordan, who farms soy and corn with his dad, replaced George on MCR&PC.

“I like being in leadership roles,” he said. “Being part of decisions, I liked that.” 

In 2014, Goblish began his 11-year run on ASA and attended dozens of Hill Visits to meet with Minnesota’s congressional delegation. He cited his work on Farm Bill advocacy, biofuels, trade and aquaculture as a few of his favorite topics to discuss with policy leaders. He built friendships with both sides of the aisle, including Rep. Collin Peterson – “he would buy sweetcorn from me,” Goblish recalled – House Whip Tom Emmer and Sen. Amy Klobuchar. 

“We’re so fortunate to have our senators and representatives in leadership roles,” he said. “It opened up a few extra doors.” 

Goblish was a member of ASA’s Executive Committee and served on several other boards during his decade on ASA: the Soy Aquaculture Alliance, WISHH and ASA’s Commodity Classic Planning Committee, which he chaired in 2022. He’s also proud of his two years chairing ASA’s SoyPAC, which provided ASA with funds that help support legislators who favor farm-friendly policies.   

“George has been a very involved and dedicated leader on the ASA Board, representing Minnesota soybean growers in an outstanding way,” ASA CEO Steve Censky said. “He provided strong leadership on ASA’s Executive Committee and contributed meaningfully to several Advocacy Teams, including Trade Policy & International Affairs. George’s service has made a lasting, positive impact on soybean growers and on our association.”

Goblish’s role might be changing, but the friends made along the way? Those are for life. 

“If they call me for anything at all, I’ll show up and help,” he said, “and vice versa.”