Farmer leaders and supporters of Minnesota Soybean were honored during the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association’s (MSGA) annual meeting last week at MN AG EXPO.

MSGA Vice President Mike Skaug was named “Soy Advocate of the Year” for 2019. Skaug, a Polk County farmer, was instrumental in advocating for the Soy Innovation Campus in Crookston, which led to the Minnesota Legislature funding $5 million toward the project. Skaug testified in front of the House Ag Committee, detailing how the project would help reignite the agriculture economy in his native northwest Minnesota.

“Mike Skaug is the epitome of an agricultural advocate and is a powerful voice for Minnesota soybean farmers,” says MSGA President Jamie Beyer. “Mike helped make MSGA a stronger organization in 2019.”

MSR&PC Director Patrick O’Leary, who served as Council chair from 2017-2019, was named “Director of the Year” by his colleague, Cole Trebesch. During his two years as chair, O’Leary oversaw the implementation of B20 and the highly successful DieselSellerz campaign; he helped launch TruSoya, laid the groundwork for the Soy Innovation Campus, chaired Northern Soy Marketing, made trade inroads with international partners and contributed to the ongoing development of Plasma Blue.

“By any measure, Patrick had a fantastic run as chair during a tumultuous period in Minnesota agriculture,” Trebesch said. “We are thankful for his leadership and are grateful he continues to be a strong voice for the Council as a District 4 representative.”

MSGA named Beck’s Hybrids its Industry Partner of the Year award for its support of Minnesota soybean farmers. Beck’s is also a longtime advertiser in Soybean Business, MSGA’s official publication.

“With a leadership team with more than 100 years of experience, Beck’s understands what farmers need, because they’re farmers, too,” Beyer said.

Lynn Ketelsen of the Linder Farm Network was recognized for his more than 40 years of farm broadcasting.

“When we think of Linder Farm Network, we think of Lynn Ketelsen,” Trebesch said.

Beyer awarded Beck’s Hybrids with MSGA’s Industry Partner of the Year. Beck’s Hybrids is the largest family-owned, retail seed company in the United States, serving farmers in 11 states, including Minnesota. Beck’s is also a longtime advertiser in Soybean Business, MSGA’s official publication, and is a co-sponsor of MSGA’s Successful Farmer Series.

“Beck’s understands what farmers need, because they’re farmers, too,” Beyer said.