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A banquet speaker Jerry Schmitz listened to during a 1980 co-op annual meeting changed the trajectory of his farming career and soybean production across South Dakota.

The speaker was with the American Soybean Association.

“He asked us a question: What makes more sense — chasing after the next best crop to increase income or using the equipment and experience you already have to increase demand for a product you already grow?” Schmitz recalled. “I was intrigued by the concept.”

Inspired by what he heard, the third-generation Vermillion farmer offered to help start a soybean organization in South Dakota. To become an affiliate of the American Soybean Association required 200 South Dakota farmer members.

Together with five area farmers, Schmitz got to work. “We set up a phone bank in an ambulance barn in Elk Point with a list of names and phone numbers, and we just started calling.”

A week later, they achieved their goal.

One year later, during the American Soybean Association annual meeting in Minneapolis, South Dakota Soybean was affiliated, and soon after, Schmitz was elected its first president.

Fast forward 45 years, more than 13,000 farmers and hundreds of international trade missions later, and soybean production has increased more than 550% across South Dakota. In 2025, farmers across the state planted about 5.1 million acres of soybeans.

Newly retired after seven and a half years as executive director of the South Dakota Soybean Checkoff and Association, Schmitz is quick to emphasize that he is just one of many farmer-leaders whose vision and dedication helped drive this positive change.

Positive focus generates positive results

Working for positive change is the focus of Schmitz’s leadership philosophy.

“Through my FFA experience, I learned that when you want to accomplish something, approaching it with a positive attitude makes all the difference. When people see you're working toward a positive goal, they're more likely to support you and want to be part of the journey,” said Schmitz, who served as an Elk Point FFA chapter officer.

In 1974, Schmitz was selected to serve as South Dakota state FFA treasurer.

Schmitz saw the power that advocating for change with a positive message could have when he served in student government at Ģ������Ƶ.

At the time, the South Dakota Board of Regents was focused on reducing duplication of majors across state universities and wanted SDSU to close its engineering department. Even though Schmitz was an ag education major, he cared deeply that SDSU retain its engineering department.

“Our messaging to the Board of Regents was about how SDSU is a holistic university, and all the professors and all the departments contribute to all the others. It is a unified institution where every portion of the university helps every other portion,” Schmitz explained. “Especially when it comes to an engineering degree like ag engineering. Why would this be in any school other than SDSU?”

The messaging worked. Schmitz was later elected student body president.

In the early years representing South Dakota’s soybean farmers, one of the positive outcomes Schmitz advocated for was maintaining the rail system that was at risk of abandonment. “At the time we were not shipping a lot west, but we could see the potential for soybeans going to the Pacific Northwest.”

Thanks to members’ advocacy efforts, the rails were saved. Today, about 60% of all South Dakota soybeans are exported west by rail.

As farmers experienced the positive results of their advocacy efforts, South Dakota Soybean membership grew.

“We are so fortunate in the U.S. because top leaders, like George McGovern, Tom Daschle, John Thune — and even presidents — would welcome farmers to visit and listen to us,” Schmitz said.

While he was helping grow South Dakota Soybean, Schmitz was working to expand his own farm and family. He and his wife, Sally, have two children, AJ and Emily.

In 2022, AJ became the fourth generation to take over management of the family farm. “It’s something you always hope for, and the day he came to say, “I’d like to do this,” we were so excited,” said Schmitz, who is enjoying his full-time role as Maggie Jo’s grandpa.

“Retiring was sweet sorrow because I miss the farmers, staff and organizations I worked with. But I do enjoy having time for other things, like spending more time with Maggie Jo.”

Celebrate Jerry Schmitz during eminent leaders banquet

For his service and leadership, Schmitz will be recognized by the Ģ������Ƶ colleges of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and Education and Human Sciences with the 2026 Eminent Leader in Agriculture, Family and Community honor. The banquet will be held Sept. 18 at the McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center. Schmitz will be honored alongside Mary Duvall, Pierre; Patty DeZeeuw, Elkton; and Kevin Scott, Valley Springs.

For tickets, visit . Tickets need to be purchased on or before Sept. 4. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by a banquet and recognition program at 6:30 p.m.

To learn more about the award or to nominate an individual for the award, contact Angela Loftesness, Eminent Leaders in Agriculture, Family and Community chair, via email, at 605-688-6732 or visit Eminent Leaders.