MANKATO, Minn. — The average Minnesota farmer is 57 years old, and with each passing year another generation looks to take the leadership mantle and lead the family farm.
For more than 40 years, the American Soybean Association (ASA) Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program has provided valuable training for farmers early in their careers.
The 2024-2025 Young Leader Class features two Minnesotans: Raymond DeMars and Rebecca Sip, who recently began representing Norman County on the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA).
DeMars farms with his wife, Amy, on her family farm in Swanville in central Minnesota. The couple recently took over full-time to raise Angus cattle and grow crops. Amy’s father, Gary Zehowski, still helps on the farm.
DeMars grew up on a farm near Brainerd and is now fully committed to his operation in Morrison County. With the transition of moving to the farm and working full time, he attended the inaugural MN Young and Emerging Leaders workshop at the 2024 MN Ag Expo. During the two-day workshop, he learned about the Young Leader Program.
His leadership journey continued when he was invited to Minnesota Soybean’s Future of Soy Summit. Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) Director Bob Worth, who’s acquainted with DeMars’ parents, suggested he apply for the prestigious Young Leader program, which allows participants to become MSGA at-large directors for up to three years.
“I’m happy he took my advice, because we’re depending on the next generation to lead,” Worth said.
In December 2024, DeMars, Sip and about 30 farmers from across ASA’s member states attended the program’s first phase at Corteva’s Global Business Center in Johnston, Iowa.
“I’m just trying to get my foot in the door,” DeMars said. “I want to be a part of something. I’m just trying to meet more people in the industry and try to see what’s out there and learn more stuff about products and everything and hopefully to benefit the farm in the future.”
Founded in 1984, the Young Leader program has graduated leaders from various backgrounds, including dozens of Minnesota producers who’ve used the program as a stepping stone to further their careers in agriculture. The program works with the 26 state affiliates and the Grain Farmers of Ontario to identify the top producers to represent their states. MSR&PC, which is dedicated to training industry leaders to create a better future for farmers, is also a longtime sponsor of the program.
“I liked it a lot it,” DeMars said of phase one. “It was great to meet other people who have the same mindset and the same goals in life of to farm and grow their farm for the next generation. How they all want to reach out and make more people aware of what they do and how it affects everyone else in the world.”
Sip, who was the featured cover story in the November-December 2024 issue of Soybean Business, is taking full advantage of her opportunities. Her parents, Wendell and Beth Sip, are transitioning to retirement, and Rebecca and her siblings are taking a more active role in the operation.
“I like to be involved in the community, and this is a good fit for me, because I really enjoy this,” Sip said of her involvement on the county board. “I have to believe in something to actually promote it.”
Norman County farmer Corey Hanson, a past MSGA director now serving on the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) director, suggested she apply for the ASA Young Leader Program.
“Corey had highly suggested it and he had thought it would be a good program for me to go through,” she said. “He encouraged me to apply for it and so I did. It was a really great experience to go down (to Iowa). I really enjoyed meeting all the farmers from throughout the United States.”
During Phase I Sip and DeMars heard from several different speakers, including then ASA President (now Chair) Josh Gackle. They learned the “DISC” profile, a personal assessment tool used to improve teamwork, communication and productivity and other sessions and tours for a well-rounded experience.
The 2024-25 Young Leader Class toured the Corteva’s facility and World Food Prize, in addition to media training. DeMars said he found it interesting to learn the complexities behind how the long, costly process of bringing a new seed to market.
“I think I was probably a little surprised how much I connected with the people there,” Sip said. “I really enjoyed that. I feel like the program was geared towards connecting you with each other, and it really did achieve that.”
DeMars also praised ASA’s staff and their willingness to help. Both Sip and DeMars plan to attend the second phase in Denver in conjunction with Commodity Classic in March 2025. They’ll also have a chance to share their Young Leader experiences with MSGA’s board during a Dec. 18 meeting in Mankato..
Sip said she’s looking forward to attending the next phase to reconnect with her peers.
“I came into this not knowing what to expect,” she said, “and so far, it’s been all good.”
Learn more about Minnesota’s Young Leaders and their future goals in the January-February 2025 issue of Soybean Business magazine.
—Minnesota Soybean
