The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council elected new leadership for their respective boards at their June meetings.

Bob Worth, Lake Benton, was elected MSGA president. Joe Serbus, Bird Island, was reelected MSR&C chair.

More than 15 years after he first took the helm, Worth returns as MSGA president. The Lake Benton man, who has farmed for more than 50 years in southwest Minnesota, has volunteered as an MSGA director since 2002, serving in various capacities, including president, secretary and treasurer. Most recently, Worth was vice president under President Mike Skaug, who stepped down after a year leading MSGA. Skaug remains on the board as Polk County’s director.

Worth started farming with his father and now runs the family farm with his wife, Gail, and their son, Jon, and his family. Most recently, Worth was awarded the American Soybean Association’s Outstanding Volunteer Award. He previously served as an ASA director and vice president, in addition to sitting on numerous ASA committees during his years on the board.

“I feel as an older famer, I have plenty to offer MSGA,” Worth said. “My knowledge of the past, as well as my willingness to accept change, will hopefully serve MSGA well as we move forward with all the changes in today’s agricultural climate. We need to continue pushing policies that will help soybean farmers stay profitable.”

Wells farmer Darin Johnson was named vice president, longtime director Brad Hovel of Cannon Falls advanced to secretary and Brownton farmer Ryan Mackenthun will serve as treasurer.

During the 2022 Legislative Session, Skaug and MSGA successfully advocated for funding for the Ag Innovation Campus (AIC), protected the biodiesel mandate and prevented further seed treatment regulations. During this year’s Farmfest, MSGA will meet with state and national legislators and agency leaders to discuss its legislative priorities

The board also reappointed George Goblish to serve on the ASA board of directors. Goblish, who farms in Vesta, sits on ASA’s executive committee.

Leading research, promotion

Serbus said he is honored to be re-elected to the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council chair position.

“It’s been a successful year for the council,” Serbus said. “We’ve been able to move many of our checkoff-supported projects forward, and I look forward to continue working on behalf of our state’s soybean farmers.”

Earlier this spring, Serbus and Tom Frisch (District 4), along with Gail Donkers (District 8) and Gene Stoel (District 7), respectively, were all reelected by their farming peers. Winona County farmer Glen Groth, who was appointed to the council in 2020, was also elected to serve his first full term.

Serbus, who is also a Minnesota crop adjuster, grows soybeans, corn and sweetcorn in Renville County. He was first elected to MSR&PC in 2016.

Frisch, a Traverse County grower, was reelected vice chair and begins his second term as chair. Donkers returns as treasurer and longtime director Pat Sullivan will again serve as secretary.

Council directors serve three-year terms, which began July 1. During the meeting, the council discussed its strategic plan for the upcoming fiscal year and the latest progress with the Stepping Up campaign and the AIC. During the meeting, the council voted to continue its financial support of the AIC. Directors also received an update on South Dakota State’s University Institute of Global Ag Sustainability and Leadership, which MSR&PC has supported with checkoff funds.

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