During the banquet awards are presented for ASA membership, outstanding achievements, leadership building conservation stewardship and industry accomplishments. Photo Credit: Sandra Martin

Nearly 1,000 guests attended the annual American Soybean Association (ASA) Awards Banquet at the 2014 Commodity Classic to celebrate the year’s top achievers and influencers who have worked to benefit the United States soybean industry.

Sponsored by DuPont Pioneer, Novozymes BioAg Inc. and the United Soybean Board/Soy Checkoff, the awards banquet was Friday, Feb. 28 from 6-9 p.m.

During the banquet awards are presented for ASA membership, outstanding achievements, leadership building conservation stewardship and industry accomplishments. (Visit soygrowers.com to read more about the winners).

ASA membership Awards were presented to:

• George Goblish, president, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association – given award for the state with Top Overall Growth in Number of Members

• Steve Van Voorhis, president, New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association – given award for the state with Top Percentage Growth in Membership

• Robert Nelsen from Minnesota, recipient of Top Recruiter Award for Level I

• Marvin Wahl from Kansas, recipient of Top Recruiter Award for Level II

• Tommy Hines from Virginia, recipient of Top Recruiter Award for Level III

To conclude the evening, attendees heard a special keynote presentation from Jolene Brown, one of the most sought-after, inspirational speakers in the agriculture industry. Brown’s message focused on finding the humor in everyday situations, even when the going gets rough.