You never know where you’ll be when MSGA leaders will come knocking at your door. At least that was true for Mike Knutson, whose son was the ring bearer in the same wedding that MSGA Executive Director Joe Smentek’s daughter was the flower girl.

Though he had heard of MSGA before, it wasn’t until the wedding and meeting Smentek that he decided to take the step toward becoming a member.

“Our kids took a liking to each other, and we’ve gotten together a few times since,” Knutson said. “I really enjoy visiting with Joe about what is happening with MSGA.”

Meeting Smentek wasn’t the only reason he decided to join. Because of a family history in organizational engagement, it was only natural for him to get involved.

“My dad and grandpa both served in many different organizations during their farming careers with the goal of keeping the ag industry strong and the next generation involved,” said Knutson. “That’s important, whether they are in farming or any other areas of agriculture.”

Knutson knows his MSGA membership is important to soybean farmers across the state because he recognizes the need for the agriculture industry to be represented in St. Paul and Washington, D.C.

“With so much of the ag industry at risk ‘politically,’ I feel it’s important to have someone speaking up for us at the capital and tell the good story of agriculture,” said Knutson. “MSGA does that.”

Knutson has previously been involved in Jaycees and on his local elevator board and was the president of his church congregation. Today, he farms near Canby with the help of his three sons – Kendon, Braden and Jacob. His father, Sherwood, is retired but helps whenever he is needed.