Neil Rockstad of Ada, Minnesota was unanimously elected today as President of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association (ASGA) for 2024 by farmer representatives from across the country who gathered for the ASGA annual meeting in Orlando, FL. He has served on the ASGA Board of Directors since 2015 and served as the Association’s Vice President for two years.
Rockstad said, “It’s a privilege to serve as President of this important association of sugarbeet growers. With the Farm Bill unresolved, it’s a critical time for our farmers to forge a policy that will strengthen our industry for the future. We must have a timely and improved Farm Bill that meets the needs of growers who are the economic lifeblood of our small rural communities.”
“As Washington looks to strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chains, the sugar industry and its policies are unique, with ability to respond to unfair foreign trade practices, provide a reliable supply of high-quality sugar at fair and reasonable prices, and operate at no cost to the American taxpayer. I’m eager to convey our story and the importance of the domestic beet sugar industry.”
Rockstad is the immediate past president of the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association. He and his wife Elizabeth raise wheat, corn, soybeans, and sugarbeets, and are proud to continue farming on land once farmed by three of their grandparents, and two great grandparents. The Rockstad’s have two children, Nora and Hazel.
The American Sugarbeet Growers Association represents approximately 10,000 growers in all 11 producing states that raise sugarbeets on over 1.1 million acres and own all 20 factories. Collectively, they produce over half of all domestically produced sugar.
ASGA news release
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