Celebrating Todd Hanten's Nine Years of Service on the South Dakota Soybean Checkoff Board

Todd Hanten of Goodwin, South Dakota retired from the South Dakota Soybean Checkoff Board after serving three terms – a total of nine years on that governing body that decides how checkoff funds are spent. Hanten, who raises cattle, row crops and wheat not far from Watertown, said he’s most proud of checkoff money invested to dredge the lower Mississippi River. More recently, checkoff dollars have been spent to improve rail infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest, which has a huge impact on South Dakota soybean growers.

“Helping with our soybeans from South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, etcetera, going out of the Pacific Northwest, which I guess those [are what make me] most proud,” Hanten told the South Dakota Soybean Network. “I really feel good about that; I don’t think there could have been any better use for our checkoff money at the time. For the future and many years, it’ll be an advantage that helps our U.S. soybeans be exported.”

After serving nine years on the checkoff board, Hanten agrees it’s time to allow others to make decisions on where money is invested. He admits, however, to a twinge of regret at no longer getting first-hand knowledge of South Dakota Soybean Checkoff issues.

“I will miss that insider, first-hand information that you get being on that board and constantly living in that world for sure,” he said, “but I’m grateful for the opportunity to do it and then be able to spread the word with your help and media and social media and stuff to everybody that the checkoff does a good job and makes a difference big time.”

Hanten first served a term on the South Dakota Soybean Association Board but decided to run for a board seat on the checkoff side because of his previous interest in checkoffs for dairy and beef.

“I always just am very interested in what those checkoff dollars are doing,” said Hanten, explaining his reasoning for wanting to serve on the checkoff board, “I have always followed it and thought that the checkoffs are an important part that as farmers we need to be promoting and advertising our products and so I’ve always wanted to be part of that and really happy to have been able to do that.”

What many might not know is that Todd Hanten enjoys escapes from his profession and diversions from talking shop.

“I love farming and it’s my life most every day,” Hanten pointed out, “but when I get those opportunities to get away with family and friends I like to then be talking about almost anything but farming and just enjoying time with my friends and my family.”

Todd Hanten, now a director on the United Soybean Board, will be featured on an upcoming edition of The Soybean Pod brought to you by South Dakota soybean farmers and their checkoff.