Any active soy checkoff farmer in Minnesota is eligible to run to be a district representative on the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council. No experience is required. Joining MSR&PC allows farmers to have a voice directing checkoff resources. Council elections are held in the spring, and each director serves a three-year term beginning July 1. To learn more, visit our website and stay up to date on MSR&PC election news through our social media pages and news via Soybean Business magazine.

Minnesota is proud to be the only state with an organized county program across 44 counties. Our county boards are tasked with promoting checkoff projects in their communities by holding local events and making donations that help strengthen the bond between farmers and local consumers, while heightening awareness of the soy industry’s economic impact in greater Minnesota.

Boards typically meet monthly (with pauses during planting and harvesting season) within their communities. To learn more about joining your county board, reach out to Senior Director of Integrated Marketing Doug Monson at doug@mnsoybean.com.

Our industry is constantly evolving. That’s why we created the Future of Soy Summit, an invite-only event gathering directors, emerging leaders and researchers for a multi-faceted workshop that dives deep into the challenges and opportunities in agriculture. The best way for leaders to earn an invitation to the Summit is by being active at the state and local levels, networking and having your voice heard.

The Minnesota Agriculture & Rural Leadership (MARL) program develops skills for Minnesota’s agricultural and rural leaders to maximize their impact and effectiveness in local, state, national and international arenas. The soy checkoff is a longtime MARL supporter, and many past and current directors count themselves as proud MARL alums. MARL’s dynamic, two-year educational experience features nine, three-day in-state seminars, a six-day national study seminar and a 10-14-day international study seminar.

MSR&PC is a longtime sponsor of the prestigious ASA Corteva Young Leader Program. This is ASA’s longest-running leadership program that identifies and trains engaged growers to serve as the voice of the American farmer. In this program, participants attend two training sessions, one of which is held at the annual Commodity Classic trade show and conference.

The Young Leader Program is open to all ages 21 and up. Seminars are comprised of coursework that enhances leadership and communication skills. Many graduates of this training program will assume leadership roles within their state and national soybean associations.

The Young & Emerging Farmer workshop is hosted by MSGA in conjunction with the annual MN Ag Expo. Young farmers ages 21-45 from across Minnesota are encouraged to apply. Not only will this workshop offer educational opportunities and focus on practical skills for your farming operation, but will also act as a great networking opportunity to connect with other young and emerging farmers across Minnesota.

The Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference is held in the spring each year as a leading networking and leadership development resource for women in agriculture, as well as a source for quality programming on a wide range of issues and ideas. The conference is for anyone with an interest in women’s agricultural leadership regardless of gender, age or affiliation.