The 30^th anniversary class of ASA DuPont Young Leaders is meeting at Pioneer’s headquarters in Johnston, Iowa this week.

ASA President Danny Murphy, ASA First Vice President Ray Gaesser speak at the 30th anniversary class of ASA DuPont Young Leaders is meeting at Pioneer’s headquarters in Johnston, Iowa.

ASA President Danny Murphy, ASA First Vice President Ray Gaesser and Pioneer’s Vice President and Regional Director Steve Reno are among the speakers and leaders who have addressed the group representing 22 states and Canada.

"The ASA DuPont Young Leader Program is truly helping shape the future of the soybean industry,” said ASA President Danny Murphy, a soybean farmer from Canton, Miss. “By identifying new and aspiring leaders and providing participants with a training opportunity that enhances their skills while growing their peer network, the Young Leader program builds a more collaborative industry that better represents their local, state and national agricultural organizations and agricultural interests.”

Pioneer’s Vice President and Regional Director Steve Reno presents at the DuPont Young Leaders meeting this week.

The training this week is the first phase in a two-part program designed to identify new and aspiring young leaders and then provide them with opportunities to enhance their skills and network with other growers. While in Iowa, the Young Leaders are participating in a comprehensive communications workshop, DiSC workplace assessment and receiving updates on the soybean pipeline and the current state of regulatory affairs and key legislative issues.

The second phase of training will be held in conjunction with Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Tex. in February 2014. Members in the Class of 2014 will also be invited to apply and participate in an optional third component in July in Washington, DC.

"Agriculture faces many challenges and opportunities as American farmers work to help meet the growing global demand for food. We are proud to support the Young Leader program, which is developing the future grower leaders needed to capture those opportunities and meet those challenges,” said Pioneer Sr. Manager Industry Relations Randy Wanke.