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Jan 08, 2015
A group of ASA Soybean Leadership College attendees try out the spinning top seats at the St. Louis City Museum during a networking event.
Agriculture leaders of all ages from across the country braved the snowy weather conditions this week and traveled to St. Louis, Mo. for ASA’s 15th annual Soybean Leadership College (SLC).
Becky Kinder, from Kentucky Soybean Association, prepares to slide down three floors at the St. Louis City Museum during ASA Soybean Leadership College.
Soybean Leadership College provides opportunities for future and current soybean industry grower-leaders and state staff to learn how to engage soybean producers, consumers, legislators, government officials and media, to more effectively tell the story of agriculture.
Approximately 130 farmers, college students and state soybean leaders attended panel discussions on water quality and rail transportation and heard keynote addresses from Jack Bobo, senior advisor for Biotechnology, U.S. Department of State, Carolyn O’Neil, MS RD., Dr. Matt Roberts, Ohio State University, and Dr. Jermaine Lewis, Seminars and Workshops Inc.
SLC attendees also attended communications sessions with Alana Muller, author and consultant, and Kathleen Leighton, president of Leighton Communications. These sessions focused on tips for networking and preparing for interviews with the media.
The winning group throws their hands up during the song "Shout" after ASA Soybean Leadership College night of trivia.
Leadership sessions welcomed Todd Long, president of Leadership Innovations, and Cynthia D’Amour, President of Power People Unlimited. Leadership breakouts focused on aligning expectations for success and strategies for recruiting and engaging.
"I decided to attend because I thought it would be a great opportunity to fine tune some of my leadership and communication skills,” said Wade Walters, a SLC attendee and grower from Nebraska. “Also I wanted to be able network with other soy leaders and professionals to learn how to get more involved in the soy association.”
After each day of learning, Soybean Leadership College attendees headed to networking events. This year, SLC visited the St. Louis City Museum, where they explored caves, climbed through tunnels and rode a 10 story slide before dinner. The second night, attendees broke into groups and showed off their history, soybean and entertainment knowledge while competing in 10 rounds of trivia.
“I would recommend it to any farmer looking to improve their leadership skills and meet others from across the country who are also passionate about soy,” Walters said.
Special thanks to Soybean Leadership College sponsors:
To learn more or for information about next year’s conference, visit www.SoyGrowers.com or contact Christine Luelf at 314-754-1291 or email at cluelf@soy.org.
