BRYANT FARMER HONES LEADERSHIP SKILLS IN GENESIS LEADERS PROGRAM

Malorie Anderson is anxious to increase her involvement in her family’s farm. She’s also looking forward to leadership roles in her community and in commodity organizations. Part of Anderson’s excitement is the result of her participation in the second class of the South Dakota Soybean Genesis Leaders Program, a series of educational sessions that were completed this spring in partnership with the South Dakota Agricultural and Rural Leadership Foundation. “The four seminars provide an overview of soybean organizations, consumer engagement, identifying unique leadership talents of the participants, exploring issues in the industry and the legislative process,” Anderson told the South Dakota Soybean Network, “and just bringing growers into contact with current and future customers while preparing the participants to be leaders in the community and the industry.”

The young Bryant, South Dakota farmer wanted to be in the program to surround herself with like-minded individuals “which ultimately would create a network of people who want to see the industry succeed and be part of the story,” she said. “The experience really did help me gain a more rounded understanding of the soybean industry.”

Anderson’s drive to learn is partly because she’s intrigued that, compared to 1950, today’s farmers produce 262 percent more food using two percent fewer inputs. She is also impressed by the fact that farmers continue to strengthen their productivity while making up scarcely two percent of the U.S. population. “As a producer, those two statistics led me to understand that it is vital for the future growth of the industry to understand soybean products, their uses and the research checkoff dollars are funding,” she said. “When I looked at the four sessions that the Genesis Leaders Program provided, I knew it would build a foundation of knowledge that I could utilize as an advocate.”

Anderson acknowledges that farmers focus on growth, but not necessarily growth in personal development. “The Genesis Leaders Program really is designed to build a deep foundation of leadership skills and industry knowledge, positioning a person for growth in your operation and in your career,” she said, recommending the sessions to others.

Doubling as a grain marketing specialist for a local cooperative, Anderson rents 400 acres of mostly corn and soybean ground with an eye on increasing her responsibilities on the family farm. “I am also in a lease-to-own agreement in which I will own 25 percent of our cattle herd, totaling 75 head of cattle,” she said.

“The legacy that my great-grandfather, grandfather, and now dad has paved always has made me super excited to return to our family farm, and hopefully someday be able to pass it on to the next generation, but personally, for me, it’s more than just the family ties,” said Anderson. “I find it super rewarding to be a part of an industry that helps feed the world.”