Delton Strasser is named for Excellence in Agriculture Award

The South Dakota Corn Growers Association (SDCGA) named Delton Strasser, a producer from Wilmot, S.D., for an Excellence in Agriculture Award during their 24th Annual Meeting held Jan. 9 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.

Strasser had dedicated his life’s work to advancing the industry with his remarkable vision for South Dakota agriculture. His role in developing value-added opportunities for producers throughout the state is his legacy for future generations.

Farming has truly been his life with over 45 years in production agriculture. As a third generation farmer, his operation has evolved from a diversified grain and livestock enterprise which once included a dairy operation and a farrow to finish swine facility, to today’s dedicated grain operation. His passion for his own farming endeavors has been for improving production practices to increase yields and profitability as the industry changes. He works to stay on the cutting edge of technology to improve the efficiency of his farming business.

Strasser’s foresight for adding value to the products raised on the farm by creating new uses and markets catapulted this leader to the forefront of developing the organization and business plans to build a farmer-owned ethanol plant in the state. He continues to steer the success of that ethanol plant, Poet Big Stone, as president of the board.

Strasser has been a respected leader on both the SDCGA and South Dakota Corn Utilization Council (SDCUC) boards, serving as president of the SDCUC. He has served at the national level on National Corn Growers Association action teams and has participated in strategic planning for the state and national organizations.

Strasser has made impacts on countless organizations through is diverse involvement, helping to forge the direction of our state’s agricultural industry. Farmers throughout the state have benefited from his enthusiasm for creating opportunities for the state and industry.

He and his wife, Vernette, farm near Wilmot. One son, Darren, farms with them full time and another son, Travis and his wife, Andrea, help on the farm when possible. Their daughter, Chantelle, and her husband, Mark, live with their three children in North Carolina.