If you are passionate about farming, ready to connect with agricultural industry leaders and grow your leadership skills, the Young Leader Program is for you!

Program sponsors American Soybean Association and Corteva are seeking farmers to apply for the 2025 2026 ASA Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program.

Phase I of the 2025-26 Young Leader program will take place Dec. 1-4 at Corteva’s Global Business Center in Johnston, Iowa. It continues Feb. 24-Feb. 27, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas, in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show.

“The Young Leader program has had a tremendous impact on the soybean industry by helping identify, train and prepare farmers who are interested in leadership and advocacy,” said Kentucky soybean grower and ASA President Caleb Ragland. “Through top-notch training, the Young Leader program has elevated industry success by providing us with strong, informed and connected soy leaders. Numerous past graduates of the program can be found in leadership positions throughout the industry, including members of ASA’s Executive Committee. We are grateful to Corteva for continually supporting this program for more than 40 years.”

The Young Leader program has helped identify and train soybean farmers to be leaders in the industry for more than 40 years. As the first state affiliate of ASA, the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) has found emerging dozens of leaders through the program and continues seeking growers to represent Minnesota soybean farmers. The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council also supports the program with checkoff funding.

Norman County farmer Rebecca Sip graduated from the Young Leader Program in 2025. Now, she serves on MSGA’s Governing Board.

“The support MSGA shows for the Corteva Young Leader program is beyond amazing,” said Ryan Mackenthun, MSGA vice president and 2019-2020 Young Leader graduate.

After completing the program, participants have the opportunity to become full voting at-large MSGA directors for three years. Soybean growers – both individuals and couples – are encouraged to apply for the program, which focuses on leadership and communication, agriculture trends and information and the development of a strong and connected network. Growers of any age are encouraged to apply: The program, which is supported by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council and the soy checkoff, is designed for those young in their leadership careers.

“The Corteva Young Leader Program was a great experience,” Mackenthun said. “It gave me a very in-depth look at what being an active leader in various soybean associations looked like. Thanks to this program, I have peers in the agricultural community from across the U.S. and Canada that I chat with often to share farming practices.”

Soybean growers, both individuals and couples, are encouraged to apply for the program, which focuses on leadership and communication, agriculture trends and information, and the development of a strong and connected network. The program is designed for growers who are young in leadership, not age. Interested spouses/partners are encouraged to attend and will be active participants in all aspects of the program, even if not employed full-time on the farm.

“Corteva is proud to support this longstanding and impactful program to help develop the next generation of grower leaders,” said U.S. Industry Affairs Leader for Corteva Agriscience Matt Rekeweg. “Not only will participants come away with new skills to increase their impact on local, state and federal policy, they’ll have the opportunity to forge meaningful connections with other current and emerging industry leaders to help unlock new opportunities and set them up for future success.”

ASA and Corteva will work with ASA’s 26 state affiliates and the Grain Farmers of Ontario to identify the top producers to represent their states as part of this program. The deadline to apply is Sept. 1. Learn more about the program and how to apply here.