Beck, Scott, and Vasgaard Awarded at 2022 AgOutlook

The South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council presented their “Visionary Leadership Award” to Dwayne Beck. The South Dakota Soybean Association presented their “Dedicated and Distinguished Award” to Kevin Scott and “Soybean Advocate of the Year Award” to Richard Vasgaard.

“Visionary Leadership Award”

The South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council’s “Visionary Leadership Award” goes to someone who has made significant contributions to agriculture in South Dakota. It is a privilege and honor to present this year’s award to Dwayne Beck for his lifelong work for the industry.

Dwayne L. Beck is the former Research Manager at Dakota Lakes Research Farm in Pierre, South Dakota. As a professor in the Plant Science Department at South Dakota State University, he received his B.S. in Chemistry from Northern State University in 1975 and his Ph.D. in Agronomy from South Dakota State University in 1983. Before beginning his current position in 1990, he was the Research Manager at James Valley Research Center at SDSU. Dr. Beck's emphasis is on developing no-till systems for irrigated and dryland areas in central South Dakota. His primary achievements deal with the development of programs that have allowed producers to profitably adopt no-till techniques in a large portion of central South Dakota. Identification of the extremely important role played by crop rotation in minimizing weed, disease, and insect problems while increasing potential profitability was the key contribution of this project. Dr. Beck was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2007.

“Dedicated and Distinguished Award”

The SD Soybean Association’s “Dedicated and Distinguished Award” was presented to Kevin Scott in appreciation of his dedication, leadership and distinguished years of service to the soybean industry.

Kevin Scott, a farmer from Valley Springs, South Dakota, recently finished his service as chairman of the American Soybean Association. He previously served as president, vice president, and secretary and has been on the ASA Board of Directors since 2012. Scott has been involved in various ASA committees, including chairing the Trade Policy and International Affairs Advocacy Committee. He has likewise served as a U.S. Soybean Export Council director.

Scott served as president and a member of the South Dakota Soybean Association board for more than 10 years. He still serves as a national policy issues lead for SDSA and provides other support the state needs.

Scott, his wife, and their children farm in southeast South Dakota on a fourth-generation operation that began in 1886. The Scotts have a variety of ag-related investments in livestock and other value-added projects.

Scott has an associate degree in agriculture from South Dakota State University. He and Jannell have six children. Scott says his priorities are faith, family and hard work.

“Advocate of the Year Award”

The SD Soybean Association’s “Advocate of the Year Award” was presented to Richard Vasgaard for his demonstration of excellent leadership and contributions to agriculture and the soybean industry in South Dakota.

Richard Vasgaard is a fourth-generation farmer from Centerville, SD. He and his wife, Joyce, are proud to continue the family’s tradition of farming for over 125 years in Turner County. Their current operation involves growing row crops along with the help of their son, Thomas. Vasgaard’s daughter also is involved in farming in Minnesota. Richard and Joyce are proud of the fact that both of their children and families are actively involved in farming and continue to carry the family legacy forward. Richard’s leadership experiences started with a strong involvement in 4-H and FFA as a youth. After getting a BS degree in agronomy from SDSU, he began farming. Vasgaard has held several leadership roles at the county, state and national levels. He is currently board president of Ag United and served in the South Dakota House of Representatives 2020-2022.

These awards were presented at South Dakota Soybean Association’s AgOutlook Conference and Trade Show in Siuox Falls on December 8, 2022.