While a soggy start to the end of April kept field equipment in park, agriculture discussions remained in drive as Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council welcomed United Soybean Board Chief Executive Officer Lucas Lentsch to its newly renovated office space in Mankato of Ag Management Solutions, the group which oversees the Council’s daily operations.
During the 90-minute meeting, Council staff, led by CEO Tom Slunecka, walked Lentsch through MSR&PC’s various checkoff initiatives, including the Ag Innovation Campus, growing the Uzbekistan market and Minnesota’s organized county soybean boards.
“There is so much momentum here,” Lentsch said. “I’m so impressed with the vision of this space. It’s been so refreshing to see this level of leadership.”
Lentsch’s trip to Mankato marked the seventh along his 21-day, multi-state tour, which is taking him to several farms. For the South Dakota native, it was a special excursion: He visited Minnesota on his way to South Dakota – on his birthday, no less.
Following the visit with Council officials, Lentsch toured a local farm near Farmington.
Lentsch is five months into his leadership role at USB, with deep roots in agriculture and a wealth of checkoff program knowledge. He most recently served as executive vice president of Dairy Management Inc., which works with the national dairy checkoff program.
Council and AMS CEO Tom Slunecka said his team appreciated the face-to-face visit with Lentsch. In total, Minnesota supports four farmers on USB: Lawrence Sukalski (who sits on the Executive Committee), Council Chair Tom Frisch, Patrick O’Leary and Gene Stoel.
“It was a great opportunity to sit down with a national leader in our new office and have some dialogue on how we can work together to advance the checkoff program that Minnesota farmers contribute to,” he said. “While Lucas runs USB, he’s well grounded and understands the value of leadership at the local and state levels.”
Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council press release
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