Underwood farmer heads Soybean Growers Association

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Thursday, January 3, 2008

Lance Peterson, who farms north of Highway 18 between County Road 1 and Highway 35, northwest of Underwood, is president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association.

MSGA, the lobbying arm of the soybean producer, is a non-profit, farmer-controlled membership organization established in 1962. Its goal is to assure profitable soybean farming by monitoring government policies and supporting research and market development activities.

“We’re a grassroots organization, so membership support is crucial,” Peterson said Wednesday. “We not only have good support from our members, but we also appreciate seed company participation in our membership programs.”

Peterson’s fellow officers are Larry Muff, vice president, New Richland (Waseca County), Lawrence Sukalski, treasurer, Fairmont and Bill Zurn, secretary, Callaway (Becker County).

Close to 7.3 million acres of soybeans are planted annually in Minnesota — including soybean acreage planted by Peterson. Soybeans are one of Minnesota’s largest crops with annual sales of $1.4 billion.

Peterson and his wife Michele have four children under the age of 10 who like to help as much as they can with the farm activities. While the jobs that they can do might be limited, their curiosity certainly is not.

“Our kids are quick to check out the latest gadgets that I use in the tractor cab,” Peterson said. “Technology has progressed tremendously during the 15 years since I’ve been back on the family farm. I can only guess how things will change, even just five years from now."

In 2001 the Minnesota State Legislative session started with biodiesel as the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association’s top priority. Over the years MSGA has closely followed legislation — with bill tracking — at both the state and federal level.

“We strive to communicate priority issues to our members,” said Peterson who will remain as MSGA president through June 2008. “Members, in turn, provide input that we (officers) can pass along to lawmakers at both the state and national levels.”

Minnesota’s 30,000 soybean growers are represented by the MSGA and the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. An elected board of 14 soybean producers directs the investment of soybean checkoff dollars in international and domestic marketing programs, research projects and education and technology transfer programs designed to increase the profitability of soybean production.

Since 1999, these grower organizations have provided the University of Minnesota with a total of $6 million in support of research and $2.5 million for Extension job positions and programming. Their lobbying support is credited with playing a key role in providing legislative support for the $5 million Biolevel 3 Plant Pathology Research Facility.

The Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council offers high school and college scholarships. The application deadline is Feb. 26, 2008.

Close to 18 seed companies participate in MSGA's 2008 membership program.