Matt Danner is 2010 ASA/DuPont Young Leader
ANKENY, Iowa - The Iowa Soybean Association is pleased to announce that Matt Danner of Carroll, Iowa, is a 2010 American Soybean Association (ASA)/Pioneer Young Leader. He was chosen to represent Iowa in a program involving producer participants from 23 other states and Canada.
A graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in ag systems technology and agronomy, Danner is a fifth generation farmer. He, along with his father and brother, raises corn and soybeans on their Carroll County farm.
The ASA/DuPont Young Leader Program targets soybean farmers who are innovative, assertive, "young in leadership" and are looking to make a positive mark in agriculture. Now in its 27th year, the program has a tremendous record of success. Program alumni have assumed significant leadership responsibilities in state and national soybean associations and promotion boards as well as national, regional and state agricultural organizations. Nearly all are making a difference in agriculture by ensuring the voice of the American farmer is being heard.
Danner's goal in participating in the Young Leader program was to learn, and meet new people with fresh perspectives and ideas. "It's about sharpening the saw," Danner says. "If you don't stretch your mind, it doesn't grow. I try to do a few things every year that take me outside the normal farming comfort zone and place me in a new arena. "
The 2010 class of ASA/DuPont Young Leaders participated in a challenging and educational leadership experience Dec. 6 to 9, 2009, at Pioneer headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, where they toured facilities, discussed industry issues and learned of soybean policy updates. The four-day seminar also included leadership and media training, and provided an opportunity for participants to meet and learn from other soybean growers from around the country and Canada.
"This was an absolute first class group of people to be around and involved with, including the attendees, the Pioneer staff and the ASA staff," Danner says. "From the economic outlook session to our group projects, it was all valuable and applicable training that I can apply upon returning home."
Class members will complete Phase II of their training March 2 to 6 in Anaheim, Calif., in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic. While there, they will participate in leadership-style analysis, soybean issues training, and interaction with other Young Leader participants, as well as participating in the Commodity Classic Conference, the premier agricultural event for soybean growers.
Besides anticipating the warmer weather, Danner looks forward to the Commodity Classic, which he has not attended for several years. In addition, he says, "Seeing the attendees and working through the agenda will bring numerous opportunities to grow and build leadership skills that you just don't have the chance to do anywhere else."
Young Leaders will receive leadership recognition awards at the ASA Awards Banquet on Friday, March 5, rounding out their week of learning, networking, and personal growth.
A graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in ag systems technology and agronomy, Danner is a fifth generation farmer. He, along with his father and brother, raises corn and soybeans on their Carroll County farm.
The ASA/DuPont Young Leader Program targets soybean farmers who are innovative, assertive, "young in leadership" and are looking to make a positive mark in agriculture. Now in its 27th year, the program has a tremendous record of success. Program alumni have assumed significant leadership responsibilities in state and national soybean associations and promotion boards as well as national, regional and state agricultural organizations. Nearly all are making a difference in agriculture by ensuring the voice of the American farmer is being heard.
Danner's goal in participating in the Young Leader program was to learn, and meet new people with fresh perspectives and ideas. "It's about sharpening the saw," Danner says. "If you don't stretch your mind, it doesn't grow. I try to do a few things every year that take me outside the normal farming comfort zone and place me in a new arena. "
The 2010 class of ASA/DuPont Young Leaders participated in a challenging and educational leadership experience Dec. 6 to 9, 2009, at Pioneer headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, where they toured facilities, discussed industry issues and learned of soybean policy updates. The four-day seminar also included leadership and media training, and provided an opportunity for participants to meet and learn from other soybean growers from around the country and Canada.
"This was an absolute first class group of people to be around and involved with, including the attendees, the Pioneer staff and the ASA staff," Danner says. "From the economic outlook session to our group projects, it was all valuable and applicable training that I can apply upon returning home."
Class members will complete Phase II of their training March 2 to 6 in Anaheim, Calif., in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic. While there, they will participate in leadership-style analysis, soybean issues training, and interaction with other Young Leader participants, as well as participating in the Commodity Classic Conference, the premier agricultural event for soybean growers.
Besides anticipating the warmer weather, Danner looks forward to the Commodity Classic, which he has not attended for several years. In addition, he says, "Seeing the attendees and working through the agenda will bring numerous opportunities to grow and build leadership skills that you just don't have the chance to do anywhere else."
Young Leaders will receive leadership recognition awards at the ASA Awards Banquet on Friday, March 5, rounding out their week of learning, networking, and personal growth.
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Not Funded by the soybean checkoff