Southern Minnesota farmers Justin Remus and Parker Revier earned spots to participate in the 40th class of the American Soybean Association (ASA) and Corteva Agriscience Young Leader program.
The program works with the 26 state affiliates and the Grain Farmers of Ontario to identify the top producers to represent their states as part of this program. This program, which is supported by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, is dedicated to training industry leaders to create a better future for farmers.
“I’m looking at gaining next level of knowledge from both peers and other industry experts out there to help drive decision-making on our own farm and our own operation along with how that plays into the political landscape in agriculture,” Remus said. “How can I do my part to help other farmers?”
Remus farms in Brown County with his brother, Kyle, on their Remus Brothers Farm operation, along with helping their dad, Dave, on their family farm. Remus is also supported by his wife, Ashley, and their children, Gavin and Breck.
He holds a bachelor of science in business marketing and an associate of applied science degree in diesel technology. He’s also trained in action selling, which was obtained during previous employment. Ashley has her master’s degree in occupational science along with several specific trainings related to elder care.
Remus is a member of the Brown County Corn and Soybean board and was recently appointed to the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) board for Brown County.
“Being part of the community that the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) is and to have that common target to improve the adoption rates and usage of Minnesota soybeans to better our Minnesota soybean grower’s profitability is pretty neat,” Remus said. “We all work toward the same goal.”
The young leader program is a two-phase program over the course of a year. Phase I of the 2023-24 Young Leader program will take place Nov. 27-30 at Corteva’s Global Business Center in Johnston, Iowa. The program continues Feb. 27-March 1, 2024, in Houston in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show.
“I’m just looking forward to seeing where it leads me,” Remus said of the ASA Corteva Young Leader Program.
Learning opportunities
Parker Revier grew up farming with his family, enjoying his time with his grandpa in the field as a kid and wanting to continue that part of his life after college. He started farming in Sibley, Renville and Stevens counties in Minnesota with the help of his significant other, Gabby Carmichael, in 2022. She will be joining Parker in the Young Leader program.
Along with farming, Parker is an agriculture and commercial loan officer for HomeTown Bank in Olivia, Minn., and is trained in Farm Service Agency (FSA) guaranteed loan servicing. With this work, he hopes to help other young farmers who are looking to start their own farming journey.
He was encouraged to apply for the Young Leader program by a fellow farmer and Renville County Corn & Soybean Grower Association board colleague.
“The opportunity of learning more about the soybean industry as a whole is what I’m looking forward to,” Parker said. “Also, the opportunity for growth as a person. The education is the side that allows you to be a better voice for the soybean industry and then if you want to be a good advocate for the soybean industry, leadership training helps.”
Parker holds a degree in sustainable energy technology with an emphasis on biofuels and photovoltaics from Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. Gabby has a degree in electronics engineering technology (EET) from South Dakota State University.
Parker has served on his local Renville County Corn & Soybean Growers Association Board for the last year and is an MSGA member. In his Young Leader role, Revier will become an at-large director with MSGA.
Joining his local board meant more community and farming community involvement. This was a way for him to dive headfirst into industry learning ahead of the young leader program.
“After being educated about what the goal of MSGA is and what being a member helps achieve through the use of funds, it felt like the right organization to join,” Parker said.
