South Dakota Soybean Stories: David Struck

David Struck is a fifth-generation farmer in Wolsey, SD. He’s also the Vice Chairman for District Five on the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. In this role, he works to promote soy innovations that create new markets and uses for soy, all the while creating less waste and improving the sustainability of the product. 

Soybean checkoff dollars fund many research projects and market development opportunities that lead to these products in the marketplace. You could say that soybean advocacy drives change. Interestingly enough, many of these changes are happening in the transportation section – from soy-based tires to soy applications in asphalt and even biofuels. 

David’s role on the council includes a position on the biofuels committee, where he works with local and state governments to try to incorporate biofuels into their mix. Biofuels burn cleaner than traditional petroleum fuels, resulting in better air quality, greener cities, and fewer health issues like asthma, according to recent studies. For these reasons, many progressive cities are making the transition to soy-based biofuels and other biobased energy.

The supply follows the demand, and most of the soybeans we produce for biofuels end up on the west coast or in New York, where SD Soybean has been working with officials to incorporate biofuels into their energy mix. 

Learn more about the work David does to promote clean energy by watching his farmer feature:

Want to learn more about South Dakota farmers and the innovations they undergo to create more sustainable products? Check out our Farmers page.