If the adage is true, and showing up accounts for 80 percent of success, then the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) is primed for another positive year actively participating in state and federal advocacy in St. Paul and Washington, D.C.  

Nearly 20 Minnesota farmer leaders convened in San Antonio for the American Soybean Association’s (ASA) Delegate Session as part of the 2026 Commodity Classic. The delegation was led by Minnesota’s six ASA directors, including MSGA President Darin Johnson, along with a dozen farmers from across the state. During the resolution process, Minnesota and fellow ASA delegates debated and approved its policy resolutions, including dozens of new resolutions related to technology, biofuels, soy nutrition, transportation, trade and labor stability. The resolutions were the culmination of a months-long process among ASA directors, staff and various subcommittees. The resolutions will serve as ASA’s policy guidebook during 2026.  

For MSGA, participating in the resolution process means showing up and standing tall for Minnesota farmers and ensuring their concerns and priorities are being voiced and defended at the national level.  

“As a ‘soy family,’ every state is not going to agree on every policy, and that’s a healthy thing and having constructive dialogue is part of the process,” Johnson said. “At the end of the day, we’re privileged as Minnesota farmers to represent our state’s farmers and it’s a role we all take seriously as advocates.”  

Andrew Mages, Minnesota’s current ASA Corteva Young Leader, completed the second portion of the prestigious leadership program during Commodity Classic. Mages said he made some strong connections with his fellow Young Leaders and will apply to join the program’s third phase this July during ASA’s summer Hill Visits. Mages, who farms near Belgrade and is a risk management specialist, is also serving as a MSGA at-large director this year.  

MSGA directors stand in support of a resolution during ASA’s Delegate Session at the 2026 Commodity Classic.

“The Young Leader program was a great experience. I’ve made some connections with farmer peers across the country, and now I’m able to bring that experience back to my operation,” Mages said. “I’m also looking forward to working more with the MSGA board.”  

Grower leaders also shared their state and federal priorities during several rounds of media interviews with state and national outlets. After a tumultuous 2025, MSGA leaders were eager to look ahead toward the 2026 growing season and policy opportunities in the ongoing legislative session in St. Paul. While remaining realistic about the current climate in Washington, D.C., Minnesota delegates remain hopeful that Congress can pass a new Farm Bill and are cautiously optimistic that “tariffs” and “uncertainty” won’t be on the tip of their tongues throughout 2026. Still, MSGA will continue defending and promoting the importance of trade to Minnesota’s nearly 26,000 soybean farmers.  

Minnesota’s delegation also participated in industry meetings, attended ASA’s Awards Celebration and walked the trade show floor, which featured over 500,000 square feet of booth space. McLeod County farmer Ryan Mackenthun returned to San Antonio for the first time since 2020, when he completed the Young Leader Program. Six years later, he’s MSGA vice president and a Commodity Classic veteran.  

“The days at Classic are always busy, but it’s gratifying to be here alongside our directors to build camaraderie, learn about each other’s operations and also more about our families and backgrounds,” he said. “I think we’re departing here reenergized and ready to get back to work at home and hopefully have a smooth planting season.” 

Minnesota’s ASA directors will gather March 10-11 in Washington, D.C., for ASA board meetings and Hill Visits. MSGA will convene April 1 at the Northern Crops Institute in Fargo, N.D., for its spring board meeting.