34 members of the 2005 class of the American Soybean Association (ASA) DuPont Young Leaders recently completed their training at the Johnston, Iowa, headquarters of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a DuPont business.

These future agricultural leaders took part in sessions that reviewed the concept of leadership and management and critically examined key issues impacting the soybean industry, such as international trade and biotechnology.

"The 2005 class is an impressive and energetic group of leaders that can shape the future of agriculture," said Dennis Friest, soybean producer from Radcliffe, Iowa. Friest is an ASA Board member and former ASA/DuPont Young Leader, who addressed the group on the importance of leadership.

Begun more than 20 years ago, the Young Leader Program seeks to develop and train new leaders to promote agriculture and to help guide the soybean industry. Once a year, program organizers select a prominent group of young farmers for special training at the Commodity Classic and a follow-up training session later in the year at the Pioneer campus. Many Young Leader alumni have gone onto significant leadership roles in American agriculture.

The recent sessions, held Dec. 11-14, 2005, consisted of a combination of classroom sessions and teamwork clinics, designed to discuss and analyze significant issues in contemporary agriculture.

Sessions and presenters included:

• Neil Caskey, ASA Director, Corporate and Public Relations, on current soybean issues and the importance of grooming leaders for tomorrow,
• Grant Kimberly, Iowa Soybean Association, on bio-diesel issues,
• William Dolezal, Research Fellow, Pioneer, on Asian soybean rust,
• Tom West, Vice President, Biotech Affairs and Business Support, Pioneer, on biotech trait acceptance,
• Ann Wright, The Wright Solution, on "Your Leadership Legacy," and
• Greg Peton, Key Account Manager, Pioneer, on "Forte’Adapting Trends and Interactions."

In addition to these sessions, the Young Leaders spent time researching and analyzing case studies on actual agricultural issues, making use of Pioneer and DuPont personnel and resources to develop solutions. Each of four teams gave 30-minute presentations on these issues to the group.

These case studies included:

• Improving worldwide consumer acceptance and approval of biotechnology products.
• Increasing agricultural trade to improve agricultural product value.
• Expediting development of renewable fuels in the U.S.
• Enhancing the Young Leader program

"The program was such a valuable experience," said Young Leader members Tim and Bonny Goodenough, West Salem, Wis. "We have learned so much that we can use on our farm and in our personal lives. We are excited about talking on new leadership challenges on behalf of the soybean industry."

The next Young Leaders class is now being selected. It begins its first training session this March in Anaheim, Calif., during the 2006 Commodity Classic.

Members of the 2005 Young Leaders Program are: Matt Butler (AL), Dannie and Robin Daughhetee (AR), Jay and Connie Niemann (IL), Paul and Heidi Jacobs (IN), Greg and Krista Jochum (IA), Randy and Denise Schwartz (KS), Bill and Renee Clift (KY), Alan and Brenda Schmidt (MD/Mid-Atl.), Donald Somers and Jamie Zmitko-Somers (MI), Ben and Stacey Ludeman (MN), Pepper and Crystal Roberts (MS), Ryan and Rebecca Britt (MO), Jeff and Carly Johnson (NE), Craig and Holly Carey (NC), Paul and Vanessa Anderson (ND), James and Katherine Heimerl (OH), Jeremy and Lacie Cannon (SC), Luke and Kimberly Holzwarth (SD), Mike and Penny Holman (TN), Cameron and Victoria Gibson (VA), Tim and Bonny Goodenough (WI), and Rick and Noreen Van Waes (Canada).