The American Soybean Association and Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, are pleased to announce Mike Brookshire of Winchester, Ky., has been named a 2011 ASA/DuPont Young Leader. 

He was chosen to represent Kentucky in a leadership development program involving participants from 22 states and Canada.

Brookshire raises soybeans, corn, wheat and tobacco in central Kentucky with a significant cow-calf and feeder calf operation. Stock Farm, Incorporated, which is managed by Brookshire, is located in Winchester. 

Off the farm, Mike stays busy on his county's Young Farmer committee through Kentucky Farm Bureau.


"I am a producer at heart and being that I can see myself working with other farmers in order to increase profitability and quality of our products. The ASA/DuPont Young Leader program is going to be a great opportunity for me to network with other farmers and exchange ideas that can improve my operation," said Brookshire.

In its 28^th year

The ASA/DuPont Young Leader Program targets soybean farmers who are innovative, assertive, "young in leadership" and looking to make their mark in agriculture. Now in its 28^thyear, the program has a tremendous record of success. Program alumni have assumed significant leadership responsibilities in state and national soybean associations and promotion boards as well as national, regional, and state agricultural organizations. Nearly all are making a difference in agriculture, by ensuring the voice of the American farmer is being heard.

"The Young Leader Program is a terrific avenue for farmers to become involved in our organization here in Kentucky," said Kentucky Soybean Association (KSA) President Keith Tapp. "Over the past 28 years, 11 of our DuPont Young Leader candidates have been elected to serve on our board of directors as farmer-leaders and six candidates have served as officers."

Tapp continued, "It is encouraging to see young farmers like Mike wanting to expand their leadership skills and become involved in the commodity organizations that help shape our industry. We are looking forward to working with Mike over the next year and hopefully many years to come."

The 2011 class of ASA/DuPont Young Leaders participated in a challenging and educational leadership experience Dec. 5-8, 2010, at Pioneer headquarters in Johnston, Iowa. This four-day seminar included group case work on soybean industry issues, leadership, and media training, and provided an opportunity for participants to meet and learn from other soybean growers from around the country and Canada. 

Class members will complete Phase II of their training March 1-5, 2011 in Tampa, Fla., in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic convention and trade show. Young Leaders will receive leadership recognition awards at the ASA Awards Banquet on Friday, March 5th, rounding out a full week of learning, networking, and personal growth.

In addition to this intense two-part training the Kentucky candidate will serve one year as an Ex-Officio board member on KSA.

For more information on this and other leadership development programs visit www.soygrowers.com.