FARM FORUM: Former Vikings' linebacker Chad Greenway to headline South Dakota Corn Growers conference

This article orignally appeared in the Farm Forum and was reported and written by Dominik Dausch.

Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway is renowned for his storied football career that began in South Dakota, but its his agricultural roots he'll be returning to at an upcoming conference.

South Dakota Corn Growers Association announced on Dec. 6 the South Dakota native will headline the 37th Annual SD Corn Conference, which will be held Jan. 21 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

According to a release, the event will feature "free educational sessions led by nationally recognized agricultural experts in weather and market trends." Afterward, the former Viking and Argus Leader Elite 45 captain will serve as a keynote speaker during an evening banquet.

"I think a lot of farmers can relate to somebody that comes from a rural area but learned things from growing up and living on a farm," South Dakota Corn Growers Association President Scott Stahl told Farm Forum Thursday. "He took that success all the way to the NFL and exemplified what is great about South Dakota – that's giving back to his community."

Greenway, who grew up on his family's cattle and hog farm near Mount Vernon, South Dakota, played for the Stickney/Mt. Vernon Knights in high school before accepting a major offer from the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. He also spent his entire 11-year NFL career with the Vikings and retired in 2017.

In the years following his departure from professional football, Greenway has taken on a number of personal projects, which includes co-founding his own brand of vodka and providing consultation for a sports recruitment platform.

“We’re very pleased that we are able to provide an event of this caliber and quality for our fellow corn growers,” Stahl said in a statement. “In addition to excellent insights and information that will benefit us all as we plan for 2023, it’s also a great opportunity to network and celebrate together. It’s through events like this that we can share the value of our organization with current and future growers.”

The education sessions are free for participants and include a complimentary lunch; the banquet includes dinner, a silent auction and awards presentations. Ticket prices for the Banquet are as follows: SD Corn Members $80; non-members $150 and include a plated dinner, a silent auction and awards presentations in addition to keynote speaker Greenway.

Dominik Dausch is the agriculture and environment reporter for the Argus Leader and editor of Farm Forum.