Soybean Genesis Program Begins
The third class of the Soybean Genesis Leaders Program, offered jointly by SDARL and SD Soybean, got off to a great start at the first seminar on Dec. 15 in Sioux Falls.
Eighteen members of the soybean industry gathered at the Raven Industries training center for a day-long seminar focused on leadership and the organizations that support soybean growers. Nick Langerock, Raven Global Product Marketing Leader, welcomed the group. After a “speed networking” segment where class members got to know each other, SDARL Program Director Jennifer Henrie introduced the DISC assessment as a tool to help class members understand their leadership and communication styles.
The group then learned about leadership opportunities and agenda priorities from several of the statewide and national soybean organizations, including SD Soybean Research and Promotion Council, SD Soybean Association, American Soybean Association, United Soybean Board, US Soybean Export Council, and World Initiative for Soy in Human Health. Presenters Johnna Ringkob and Mariah Kessler (SDARL Class XII) shared the key activities of SD Soybean and how checkoff dollars are used to promote soybean products to industry and consumers.
A panel of SDARL graduates and soybean leaders shared their experiences with the Genesis Leaders class, including Dawn Scheier (Class V), Jeff Thompson (Class VII), and Travis Bunde (Class VII). It was noted that South Dakota has had an outsize role in soybean leadership, most notably with the recent selection of Lucas Lentsch (SDARL Class III) as the CEO of the United Soybean Board.
Throughout the day, we heard from several leaders at Raven Industries regarding the company’s innovation and advances in autonomy to help farmers solve challenges with labor and technology, including Sienna Mayer (SDARL Class XII), Chad Biegler (SDARL Class XI), and Travis Bunde.
The Genesis Leaders class will next convene in Pierre on Jan. 19, 2024, for a seminar focusing on the legislative process. Please visit SD Soybean to learn more about the Soybean Genesis Leaders program.
