As part of the American Soybean Association’s (ASA) new strategic plan, a new affiliate agreement has been created to reflect the various changes in membership structure and affiliate investment in ASA that will become effective on Oct. 1, 2016. ASA is pleased to report that the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association is the first out of 26 state soybean associations to sign the new five-year affiliation agreement with ASA.

“We are excited about the new partnership that this agreement creates between the states and ASA at the national level,” said ASA President Richard Wilkins. “This agreement makes us stronger, more strategic and more streamlined. ASA appreciates Minnesota’s early adoption and looks forward to our other affiliates signing on in the coming weeks.”

The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association also has the historic distinction of having been the first state association ever to become affiliated with ASA – that was 54 years ago, in 1962.

Over the next several months, ASA staff will be working with state staff to get signed copies of the new affiliation agreement from all 26 state soybean associations.

ASA’s new strategic direction provides the state associations with total flexibility to structure membership types and dues amounts however will make that state affiliate most successful. The new structure of affiliate investment provides new opportunities for states to invest in ASA to make both state and national organizations stronger and more effective on behalf of soybean farmers.

The new ASA strategic plan is focused on enhancing the protection and advancement of soybean farmer issues in the national policy and regulatory arenas.