Minnesota Corn Growers Association
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association and Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council are farmer-led grassroots organizations focused on identifying and promoting opportunities for corn farmers. This “Grassroots Leaders” series introduces you to the grower leaders who are working on your behalf as corn farmers.
Written by Jonathan Eisenthal
The first time D.J. VanKlompenburg walked into the board room of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) as a new director two years ago, he felt intimidated.
“There is a lot of experience in that room—experience that I didn’t necessarily have even though I grew up on the farm and have been there my whole life,” said VanKlompenburg, who is now 27. “But my opinions were taken seriously, and I was treated like what I thought mattered. It showed me there is a future for young farmers in Minnesota. What we think about what is happening in the industry does matter. I don’t have to have 20 or 30 years of experience before I can have a voice.”
D.J. farms with his dad, David, near Montevideo, where they grow corn and soybeans, much of which they turn around and feed in their 100-head cattle feedlot. Lacey, D.J.’s wife, is a grain buyer for Cargill. She works closely with D.J. to set their production plan and their marketing strategy. Among them, they are setting a new direction for the farm, with the aim of taking their cattle operation to 500-head or more.
“It’s a holistic approach,” VanKlompenburg believes. “Our crop production and our cattle production work well together. It’s helping us draw added value out of the corn crop that we grow. That corn never leaves the farm. It’s utilized right here. We turn it into beef that we ship off, and we turn it into manure that we put back into the ground to improve our soil health. We also make use of distiller’s grains from two local ethanol plants—we are part of a whole network that creates more value and economic activity for our region.”
The decision to run for an MCGA board position started with D.J.’s mentor, Kirby Hettver, then MCGA president. VanKlompenburg had worked on Hettver’s farm for a summer while he was in college at South Dakota State University, studying Agricultural Technology Systems. D.J. considers working on another farm a core experience. Another core experience was his involvement in ag organizations in college.
“Kirby saw my passion there, and I had some experience in public speaking, so when the board position became available, he said I would be a good fit,” said VanKlompenburg. “There’s always been a place in my heart for advocating for agriculture. In college, when you are at an agriculture school, those opportunities are endless, but once you graduate you have to seek them out on your own.”
D. J. and Lacey know there are young people going into agriculture.
“We really want our peers to get involved, whether it is Corn Growers board, or even volunteering with your local 4H group—any little bit can help,” D. J. said. “Don’t stick your head in the sand, or stand off to the side and watch the industry go by. Take leadership roles, to keep our industry strong.”