SDCGA Outstanding Service Award honor retiring directors

The South Dakota Corn Utilization Council recently recognized five directors who have served their allowed terms with the organization. The directors received awards during the South Dakota Corn Growers Association’s Annual Meeting held Jan. 6 in Sioux Falls.

Chad Johnson of Platte, S.D. has served on the South Dakota Corn Growers Association board of directors since 2000. He represents District 10. Johnson has been a valued director who is always willing to lend a hand. He has represented the SDCGA legislatively several times including in Pierre and Washington, D.C. when lobbying power was needed. He has also represented the SDCGA as a delegate to U.S. Grains Council Conventions and has gone to Commodity Classic as well. He has served the executive team of the SDCGA as treasurer.

Bjorn Nelson joined the South Dakota Corn Growers Association board of directors in 2004 as an Industry Representative from Monsanto. He lives in Huron, S.D. and has been with Monsanto for 17 years. His role as Industry Rep has been a tremendous asset to the SDCGA as he brought a voice from the business agronomy side as well as insight into new technology coming down the pike. Nelson has been a big supporter the SDCGA and a key player in advancing the organization to new levels. He’s been active in the Showplot program as well as the Corn Cob Open Golf Committee.

Paul Shubeck is a Centerville, S.D., grain producer who has served on the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council board since 2001. Shubeck has been instrumental in developing South Dakota’s biofuels industry as a board member of Great Plains Ethanol, Sioux River Ethanol and Midwest BioDiesel. His insight into those industries has been an asset on the SDCUC board. Since he has been on the board, Shubeck has served on the Research Committee and his vast knowledge of research and affiliations with SDSU have been invaluable in selecting effective and meaningful research projects to fund through the state’s checkoff dollars.

Craig Swanson of Chamberlain, S.D., has served on the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council board since 2001; he is currently the chairman of the SDCUC Research Committee. Swanson has brought enthusiasm to all his roles on the Council which over the years has also included the office of treasurer and chairman of the market development committee. He has a known passion for the livestock industry and thus has been a natural choice to represent the SDCUC at the U.S. Meat Export Federation. He was an original board member of Prairie Ethanol and has been active in supporting value added opportunities for producers.

Clint Vanneman lives in rural Ideal, S.D., where he operates a diversified grain and livestock farm. Vanneman, a board member since 2001, has been a chosen leader for the Council having served on the executive team as chairman, treasurer and is the current vice president. He has also been active on both the Market Development and Promotion and Education Committees. Vanneman has represented the SDCUC as a delegate to the U.S. Grains Council and has earned a position on their Value Enhanced Action Team. He has taken international travels with U.S. Grains with a passion to make sure export and Dried Distillers Grains opportunities exist around the world.