This article first appeared in the July-August 2025 issue of Soybean Business. Click here to read the digital version. 

Lincoln County farmer Matt Schreurs stays busy throughout the year in myriad ways.

He has been farming corn and soybeans with his brother, dad and neighbor since 2011, in addition to his full-time banking job at First Farmers Merchant Bank. Schreurs has four kids, the oldest of which graduated this year, and he serves on multiple community boards, including the Lincoln County Corn & Soybean Growers Board.

“I started as treasurer, as naturally all bankers do,” Schreurs said with a laugh.

He has been on the board for eight years and now serves as president. Through his experience with MSGA, Schreurs hosted a trade team representing nearly 20 countries in August 2024.

MSGA member Matt Schreurs (red shirt) shares his story while hosting trade delegation on his Lincoln County farm in 2024.

“I would recommend it to everybody,” Schreurs said. “There were a lot of different perspectives – some members were very active and engaged, asking a lot of questions about how I grow my beans and how we do it.”

Schreurs credits MSGA with helping facilitate these trade relationships and helping promote the Port of Duluth.

“Education is extremely critical to getting our message out, and we can always work to get better at it,” he said. “I always tell people if you don’t like how the process is going, to get involved to help steer it in the right direction. I would say that’s what we need to do as farmers: have a voice at the table, and MSGA helps us get a voice at that table.”

To join the 2,600 soybean farmers and industry leaders who’ve joined MSGA, click here.