Thirty-four young farmers from across Minnesota gathered at the 2025 MN Ag Expo to build skills and industry knowledge during the second annual MN Young & Emerging Farmer Workshop, hosted by the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) and Profinium.

The program is aimed at those who are young or new-to-farming to help them enhance their current skills and network with other young farmers and industry professionals. Participants not only attended special sessions but had the opportunity to visit the trade show and hear keynote speakers.

Kyle Hagen, who farms near Glencoe and is currently a student at South Dakota State University, plans to take over his family farm after graduating later this year. He participated in this program after a recommendation from a friend.

“My two favorite sessions were relating to loans and crop insurance,” he said. “I actually wish that one was longer.”

Profinium, which once again co-hosted the workshop, was involved in both of those sessions.

“The Young & Emerging Farmer program is fantastic,” said Tim Miller, vice president of Profinium Insurance. “Those younger people that sign up for that, they’re the ones who are truly passionate about farming, passionate about doing it the right way, and being successful.”

Sharing success

The agenda began Jan. 21 with a meet-and-greet welcome reception at Profinium’s Mankato headquarters. During MN Ag Expo, sessions focused on agronomy 101, farm policy and succession planning. Each session was taught by experienced members of the ag industry, who had advice to pass on to the next generation. Minnesota Soybean farmer leaders were front and center throughout the workshop: Jamie Beyer and Jeff Sorenson, who represent Minnesota on the American Soybean Association, spoke about policy advocacy in St. Paul and Washington, D.C; MSGA President Darin Johnson offered his advice on succession planning and working through family dynamics, while Secretary Kyle Jore and Director Bob Worth participated in roundtable discussions. Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council Chair Tom Frisch and Council CEO Tom Slunecka also visited with participants to explain how the soy checkoff benefits Minnesota farmers’ bottom line.

“We had great participation from our board at the state and national levels,” MSGA Director Adam Guetter said. “They’ve all been in these younger farmers’ shoes, in one way or another, so it was great to have them their share their experience and offer advice.”

During a session on grain marketing and predicting trends, Andrew Mages of Progressive Ag shared a tip with the audience.  

 “Ask for advice,” he said. “Success is shared and passed on. No one wants you to fail.”

Guetter, who sits on both MSGA and ASA, helped lead the Workshop with MSGA Treasurer Rose Wendinger and said this year’s class was engaged and energetic.

“Once the ball got rolling, the conversations really started picking up,” said Guetter, who farms in Wabasso.  

Guetter said he’s hopeful the Minnesota Young & Emerging Farmer Workshop returns for its third year in 2026.

“With the interest we’ve had from sponsors and farmers, there’s a lot of interest in continuing to make this a successful event for Minnesota Soybean,” he said.