Apply for the DuPont Young Leader Program

The South Dakota Soybean Association (SDSA) encourages South Dakota soybean farmers to apply for this year’s ASA/DuPont Young Leader program. The ASA/DuPont Young Leader program is recognized throughout agriculture for its tradition of identifying and cultivating farmer-leaders who are shaping the U.S. soybean industry and all of agriculture.

The 2014 class of ASA/DuPont Young Leaders will meet for the first time at Pioneer’s headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, November 19-22, 2013. The program will continue February 25-March 1, 2014 in San Antonio, with training held in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show.

The ASA/DuPont Young Leader program provides participants with the opportunity to strengthen and build upon their natural leadership skills, meet and learn from other young leaders from around the country and expand their agricultural knowledge. In addition to the scheduled programs, the selected Young Leader from South Dakota also has the opportunity to the serve on the SDSA board of directors for one year.

Interested applicants should apply online at http://soygrowers.com/learn/young-leader-program/. The deadline to apply is October 1.

ASA, its 26 state affiliates, including the Grain Farmers of Ontario, and DuPont Pioneer will work together to identify the top producers to represent their state as part of this program. One couple or individual per state is chosen to participate.

Craig Converse, farmer from Brookings, was South Dakota’s DuPont Young Leader this past year. Converse encourages any soybean farmer who is interested in developing his or her leadership skills to apply for the program. According to Converse, the program was an excellent experience and was very beneficial. Converse is now serving as a farmer-leader on the South Dakota soybean checkoff board of directors.