Bob Metz is named for Excellence in Agriculture Award

The South Dakota Corn Growers Association (SDCGA) named Bob Metz, a producer from Browns Valley, Minn., for an Excellence in Agriculture Award during their 23rd Annual Meeting held Jan. 10 in Sioux Falls. The award honors an outstanding leader in agriculture who exemplifies excellence in agriculture by their significant contributions to the industry as a whole.

Metz has demonstrated remarkable vision, dedication and leadership in South Dakota agriculture and holds the respect of his peers across party lines, commodity groups and industry issues.

While his industry involvement has been diverse, a common theme exists: renewable energy. He has dedicated countless hours working on development of ethanol, biodiesel and wind. He has forged inroads in the ethanol and biodiesel industries’ infancies, creating opportunities and setting the stage for others to succeed.

A fifth generation farmer, Metz has made his living on the land and with livestock for 33 years. His farming operation currently consists of corn, soybeans and winter wheat.

Metz was instrumental in organizing the first meeting in 1999 to develop an ethanol plant in northern South Dakota and Big Stone ethanol began production in 2002. Metz has been on the Northern Growers board since its start up and currently serves as their president.

Nationally, Metz has made his mark by representing South Dakota in roles that have not only demonstrated his exceptional leadership ability but also has contributed to revolutionary industry successes.

He is among an exclusive list of South Dakotans who have risen to top leadership in a national commodity organization as he was the American Soybean Association president from 2005 to 2006.

He also led the charge for the biodiesel industry nationally and was instrumental in getting the biodiesel tax incentive passed while he was the chairman of the National Biodiesel board from 2002-2003. He continues to serve on the governing board of the NBB, and is currently the Chair of its Technical Committee.

He has been involved in the farm bill and has represented the U.S. farmer in more than 20 foreign countries developing markets for their products and demonstrating to other countries how our ag products can be utilized in their livestock and aquatic industries.

The list of organizations and leadership positions Metz has been involved in and made impacts on is extensive. In addition to the organizations already listed, Metz participates on the Dakota Wind Advisory Board, serves on the Grower Advisory Committee for Monsanto, is the president of the American Oilseeds Coalition and contributes to the Ag trade advisory council in Washington, DC.

Metz and his wife, Karen, have 4 children: Justin, Missy, Joshua and Thomas. Their legacy has inspired a sixth generation to join the farming operation as one son already farms with them and a second son will be joining the operation soon. Their son-in-law also farms part time with them.

The SDCGA thanks Bob Metz for his dedication to South Dakota agriculture.