Making sure farmers are at the table with their first-hand perspective when others are deciding the rules farmers have to play by is one of the main reasons Ryan Thelemann became involved with the Scott/Le Sueur Corn & Soybean Growers Board.

“It really opened my eyes to what my dollars are used for. The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association serves as the experts for getting our message out through the right avenues as farmers to tell our story and influence policy positions,” said Thelemann. “It is important to advocate for agriculture, and I saw the opportunities on the board as a natural transition for me to tell people about our farm.”

Thelemann and his wife Molly, have three children Jack, Elena and Nolan. Thelemann and his in-laws farm around 3,000 acres of corn, soybeans, and raise canning peas and sweet corn for Seneca near Le Sueur, Minn. They also finish around 7,500 hogs per year.

“Get involved and understand what MSGA is doing and what it all entails,” said Thelemann. “The opportunities for growth within MSGA are endless – if you are willing to go for it, you can do it.”

The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association is the nation’s largest soybean association because farmers and agribusinesses have recognized the value MSGA membership brings. ‘Faces of MSGA’ recognizes those members who actively promote Minnesota’s soybean industry.