The American Soybean Association (ASA) and DuPont are seeking applicants for the 2016-17 ASA DuPont Young Leader Program.

For more than 30 years, the ASA DuPont Young Leader program has identified and developed grower leaders who continue to shape the future of agriculture.

“The ASA DuPont Young Leader Program has had a tremendous impact on the soybean industry and many of our current grower leaders at the national and state level are program alumni,” said ASA President Richard Wilkens, a farmer from Greenwood, Del. “The program provides industry-leading training that develops the participant’s leadership potential while fostering collaboration among farmers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Young Leader participants gain experience while building life-long friendships. The program continues to be ground-breaking, encouraging diversity and recognizing the important role women and young farmers play in agriculture as it has since its inception in 1984. We can’t thank DuPont Pioneer and DuPont Crop Protection enough for their longstanding support of the program.”

The ASA DuPont Young Leader program is a challenging and educational two-part training program. Phase I of the training takes place at the DuPont Pioneer headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, Nov. 29 – Dec. 2, 2016. The program continues Feb. 28 – March 4, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show.

Last year, two Minnesota couples participated in the program- Jamie and Rodd Beyer of Wheaton, Minn., and Rebecca and Taylor Tesch of Sabin, Minn.

“We have three little girls at home, so sometimes it’s hard to find the time to get involved,” Jamie and Rodd said. “But being a part of the ASA DuPont Young Leader program makes you excited to get involved and you learn how to find the time.”

Grower couples and individuals are encouraged to apply for the program which focuses on leadership and communication, agricultural information and the development of a strong peer network. ASA, its 26 state affiliates, including the Grain Farmers of Ontario and DuPont, will work together to identify the top producers to represent their state as part of this program.

“This program has opened our eyes to what we can do as individuals,” Jamie and Rodd said. “From visiting with urban classrooms, talking about our love for agriculture and the land, to starting to spend 15 minutes a day on social media, sharing what we do on the farm, this program has given us new opportunities to build on our leadership skills and find ways we can make a difference.”

Applications are being accepted online now. Interested applicants should click here for additional program information and to apply.