Kelly Erickson of Hallock, Minn., became the president of the ASGA for 2012. He was unanimously elected by sugarbeet growers from across the country who gathered at the annual ASGA meeting in Feb. 2012.
Erickson serviced as the Association's Vice President and Legislative Committee Chairman for the past two years. He succeeds Russ Mauch of Barney, N.D., who successfully served the maximum two years as Association President.
Erickson and his wife, Karen, have been married and farming for 34 years, and he has farmed with his son over the last five years. He raises 800 acres of sugarbeets, as well as wheat, soybeans and is a fourth-generation farmer. He and Karen have three children-Sarah, Scott and Mary Beth. Erickson was president of the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association for the past four years. He is also a member of the Minnesota Soybean Growers, Minnesota Wheat Growers and the Minnesota Barley Growers.
In accepting the presidency, Erickson said, "It is an honor and a privilege to lead such a dedicated and talented group of farmers, and I am excited about our future. There are challenges on the horizon that I have no doubt we will be able to rise above. I look forward to the next few years."
With regard to the 2008 Farm Bill and the upcoming consideration of the 2012 Farm Bill, Erickson noted, "A sugar policy was passed in 2008 that has served growers, consumers and taxpayers well. As we look ahead to a new Farm Bill, we need to work with members of Congress to assure that the no-cost sugar policy is retained and a strong domestic policy for all farmers in the United States is established for the next five years."
The American Sugarbeet Growers Association represents about 10,000 growers in 11 states.