Richard Syverson joins MCGA board of directors

Richard Syverson, who farms in Pope County near Clontarf, is one of the newest additions to the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) board of directors. Syverson, who was a longtime MCGA regional representative prior to joining the board, will represent district four after being elected at MN Ag EXPO 2018 in January.

Syverson farms corn and soybeans, as well as feeds Holstein steers, on his 1,200 acre farm. He has farmed with his family for 38 years.

Syverson was a regional representative for MCGA for more than 12 years. In the position, he worked with farmers and county organizations in central Minnesota to help carry out the initiatives of Minnesota Corn on the local level. Syverson felt the role has prepared him to become a member of the MCGA board.

“I had the opportunity to work with a lot of great farmers who believed there was more to farming than just selling their product,” Syverson said. “I bring a unique perspective in knowing how we can work with them and their county organizations to get our message across.”

A member of the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company Corn Pool Board and a shareholder with the company, Syverson has long been interested in the promotion of ethanol. He looks forward to working with board members to continue to evolve ethanol promotion and build demand.

Syverson is also an active member in the Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Farm Bureau, and his local church organization.

Syverson joins Blair Hoseth (district 6), who farms in Norman County, as newly elected MCGA board members. Re-elected were Jean Knakmuhs of Redwood County (district one), Harold Wolle of Watonwan County (district two), Les Anderson of Goodhue County (district three), Brian Thalmann of McLeod County (district five) and Dan Root of Dodge County (at-large).