As president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA), I must confess that the past few months of agriculture advocacy have felt like a whirlwind.
Just as the last issue of Soybean Business went to the printer, D.C. lawmakers passed a Continuing Resolution that included much-needed economic assistance for producers. While the process was a bit messy at times, we greatly appreciate the folks in our congressional delegation for heeding warnings from throughout farm country and supporting this legislation! Around that same time, we learned the Minnesota House was no longer tied 67-67, which set off a legal chain reaction that effectively put that chamber of the Legislature at a standstill for the first month of the legislative session.
If you unplugged from the news for even a day (maybe even a few hours?) in the first couple months of 2025, you might’ve missed a game changer of a story happening in St. Paul and Washington, D.C.
One matter of grave concern that fortunately didn’t come to pass (yet) was a trade dispute with our Canadian neighbors. In February, I joined farming advocacy colleagues during a visit to the Canadian Consulate. Our trade relations with Canada – and especially ag trade: Minnesota exported $1.2 billion in ag goods to Canada in 2023 – have flourished in the more than 30 years since we first signed trade agreements with Canada and Mexico. We certainly appreciate there are nuances to these agreements, but as soybean farmers, global trade partnerships are crucial in adding value to our bottom lines. Heck, some of our northern farmers are just a stone’s throw away from Canada. We join the chorus of business groups urging the administration to preserve the USMCA.
My friend and colleague Kyle Jore, who lives just over an hour from the border, learned firsthand the importance of our partnership with Canada during a recent visit to the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. As you’ll read in this issue, Kyle is a huge asset to MSGA’s officer team. When discussing policy and crop insurance (among a slew of other topics), our secretary has forgotten more than most of us will ever know. We’re sure glad Kyle’s on our side!
Even though the soy checkoff can’t work in the legislative realm, our five-decade long partnership with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council continues to benefit all our state’s soy farmers. The Council’s 2024 Annual Report, published once again in Soybean Business, is chock full of information highlighting how the soy checkoff, through innovation and collaborations across the value chain, continues to move the needle and build demand. With checkoff programs continuing to face policy attacks in Washington, D.C., it’s our duty and privilege to continue explaining to legislative leaders the ongoing importance of preserving the soy checkoff. Those policy conversations will happen in late March when I’ll join our six directors on the American Soybean Association for board meetings and Hill Visits. We have a lot on our policy plate, from promoting biofuels to protecting markets; oh, and don’t forget, passing a new Farm Bill.
The whirlwind can feel like whiplash, but rest assured, the MSGA team is covering ground and making sure our voices are heard at every level of government. The future might be uncertain – and the news cycle dizzying – but our mission is clear: We’re working to create a brighter outlook for America’s greatest industry.
Darin Johnson farms and Wells and serves as president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association