South Dakota farmer’s law background is useful in commodity board work

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South Dakota farmer’s law background is useful in commodity board work

A South Dakota farmer says her background in the law is a good skill in commodity board work. Heather Beaner enjoyed a career as an Air Force lawyer until coming home to take over the family farm a decade ago. Beaner, who farms in northeastern South Dakota’s Spink County, says her military and law career cultivated a skillset useful in her current position on the South Dakota Soybean Checkoff Board.

“I’m good at analyzing situations, taking in information, focusing a group on a productive work product,” Beaner told Brownfield Ag News at Commodity Classic in New Orleans, “plus I’m a really good researcher and writer; it was one of strengths in the law.”

Beaner says she’s confident about the soybean market remaining strong, although she adds upheaval in eastern Europe puts that in question.

“My hope is that as we look for alternative ways to be self-sufficient in America, we’re finding outlets for our commodities that will keep that market strong,” she said.

Beaner calls current soybean oil demand “humongous”, which she says is resulting in more soybean crush plants being built.

AUDIO: Heather Beaner

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