A PROGRAM WITH PRESTIGE

MSGA and the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council have a proud history of supporting Young Leaders who would later climb the ranks of both organizations. Past ASA Chair and Worthington farmer Bill Gordon is a graduate, along with a who’s who of current MSGA, ASA and Council directors. “It was a really good experience,” said MSGA Treasurer Ryan Mackentun, a member of the 2019-20 class. “After attending this program, I feel like I will be a far better advocate for agriculture for the rest of my life. ”The Young Leader program was established in 1984.

leadership program is the inclusion of spouses and both Tim and Gary jumped at the chance to develop their skills with their partners. Renae Braun and Tina Schoenfeld joined their husbands for the program, gaining information from their own perspectives of the training.

“I think it’s nice to (go through the program) as a couple because it shows our personalities on how we handle things,” Gary Schoenfeld said. “It shows how we can work better together and communicate better.”

Tina Schoenfeld added that between farming together and the other agriculture work they do together it just makes sense and feels right to work and grow in the leadership program as a team.

“I feel more confident in speaking with people on a public speaking level,” she said. “I feel more confident in being able to do that, with the tools that we were provided and able to practice a little there.”

Renae Braun and Tina Schoenfeld are vital parts of both operations, working on the farm in various ways, from preparing meals to running machinery to caring for the animals and the kids.

“Renae comes from a nonagriculture background, so it’s good for her to get exposed to some of the people, too, and hear some of the stories,” Tim Braun said. “It’s great to include both of us.”

Renae and Tim Braun are growing their leadership skills – together.

“The program for what we saw here (phase one) right away was pretty darn good,” Braun said. “I enjoyed the time we spent there and hopefully we can enjoy our time down at Classic in Orlando and keep building the relationships we started here.”

Building a network

The Brauns and the Schoenfelds plan to attend to continue growing their skills.

“If it’s like the last two days was,”

Gary Schoenfeld said during an interview in the midst of phase one, “It’ll be a lot of fun to learn more and get to know the other people in our class.”

Throughout the Young Leader program, the Brauns and Schoenfelds will enhance their leadership, interviewing and public speaking skills. They’ll also have opportunities to network with other young agriculture leaders.

“My goal is to continue to build that network,” Tim Braun said. “That’s a key piece, getting to know people across the country as well as just being able to communicate better.”

The ASA Young Leader Program started in 1984 and continues to develop strong leaders across the country. Many directors from MSGA and MSR&PC leaders have completed the program before becoming state and national directors.

“It’s just amazing to hear everybody’s story. They’re similar, but different – they’re all so unique,” Tina Schoenfeld said. “It was such beneficial information that I feel like I can perfect with practice. I can grow to be an advocate for agriculture, which is not something that I had ever planned as I don’t come from a farming background.”