MANKATO, Minn. — Sixty years of soy advocacy is a cause worth celebrating.
This year at Farmfest, the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) is holding a special event to celebrate its 60th anniversary. The event takes place Wednesday, Aug. 3 from 1-3 p.m. in the Morton Building.
The reception will feature special guests, including Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, Sen. Gary Dahms, MSGA President Bob Worth and Executive Director Joe Smentek.
“We are really looking forward to this event and visiting with friends and farmer-leaders who have made this organization a success for six decades,” said Worth, who has been an MSGA director for more than 20 years. “We’ve come a long way.”
The first meeting of MSGA was held in Sleepy Eye in September 1962. MSGA, a nonpartisan, farmer-led organization, is the nation’s oldest state soybean organization and the first state affiliate of the American Soybean Association. MSGA, with support from its grassroots organized county program, has successfully advocated in St. Paul and Washington, D.C., for policies related to tax reform, trade, biodiesel, regulatory overreach, protecting pesticides and more.
“It’s really incredible to think of all the farmer-leaders who laid the groundwork for where we are today,” said past MSGA President and current Director Mike Skaug. “They blazed the trail, and we all stand on their shoulders.”
During the two-hour 60th anniversary celebration, MSGA will also hold a special membership flash sale. From 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday, Farmfest attendees can sign up for a one-year membership for only $60 (a 50% discount) at either the Morton Building or at Minnesota Soybean’s Booth #620.
“Membership is crucial to our mission. We can’t accomplish our policy priorities without the support of our members,” Smentek said. “This event is a perfect time to join MSGA and learn more about our history and how we continue to advocate for our farmers.”
To learn more, visit mnsoybean.org/msga.
— Minnesota Soybean
