Member Information

Board Member Photo Name:  Heather Beaner
Position:  Secretary
City:  Mellette
Term End Date:  6/30/2024
Biography:
Heather grew up on a farm but never expected to become a farmer. She graduated from law school at the University of South Dakota, then joined the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps and spent 12 years on active duty, stationed in England, Korea, Italy, Texas and finally back in South Dakota. She has been involved in almost 100 trials as both a prosecutor and defense counsel and gained experience in international law, military operations law and government ethics. In 2011, the farm life beckoned, and Heather moved back to Mellette to get married and take over the family farm from her father. While some days she wishes she had an agronomy degree instead of a law degree, she is grateful for the many organizations, including the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, that are available to help her become a better farmer.
Board Member Photo Name:  Bruce Haines
Position:  Director
City:  Mitchell
Term End Date:  6/30/2026
Biography:
Bruce Haines is a fourth-generation farmer from the Mitchell area. He and his wife, Marlene, have three children and seven grandchildren.

They raise corn, soybeans, and wheat on their no-till family farm. Bruce believes in giving back to his community which has given his family so much.

Bruce is involved in the SD Conservation Commission, South Dakota Nutrient Research and Education Council, Davison County Rural Water Board, Chairman of the Davison County Planning and Zoning Board, Davison County Conservation District, local Township board, and has held many other positions in his church. Bruce has 38 years of experience working outside the family farm business. His goals are to work together with soybean farmers to invest checkoff dollars to promote more marketing research and profit margin opportunities.

District 1 includes the following counties: Brule, Aurora, Davison, Hanson, Douglas, and Hutchison.
Board Member Photo Name:  Todd Hanten
Position:  Treasurer
City:  Goodwin
Term End Date:  6/30/2024
Biography:
Todd Hanten farms soybeans, corn, wheat and alfalfa near Goodwin, S.D. Hanten also operated a successful dairy farm for 28 years. He was elected to serve on the South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council board in 2015. Hanten is also a former ASA DuPont Young Leader.
Board Member Photo Name:  John Horter
Position:  Director
City:  Andover
Term End Date:  6/30/2026
Biography:
John Horter is a fifth-generation farmer from Andover SD. He and his wife, Jaclyn, operate J and J Horter Farm Partnership. They farm with his parents who are slowly transitioning into retirement and turning the operation over. They have two children. Dane is 12 and Raegan is 8. They both attend Langford Area School. They also own and operate Horter’s Farm and Ranch Supply, LLC in Bristol. On their farm, they raise soybeans, corn, wheat, and alfalfa as well as own a beef cow herd, raise replacement heifers, and finish cattle. In addition to their operation, they custom plant and harvest for numerous friends and neighbors in the area.

John graduated from Bristol High School in 1999 and then pursued a degree in Ag-Production from Lake Area Tech. He has served as an officer and director on the James Valley Threshing Association and is on the board at Bethesda Lutheran Church. He served on the South Dakota Soybean Association for 12 of the last 15 years. He has served on many committees and held multiple officer positions as a director. John participated in programs such as the DuPont/ASA Young Leader program, Leadership at its Best, Progressive Farmer’s “America's best young farmers and ranchers”, and multiple other leadership conferences and media training courses.

In his spare time, he enjoys watching their children participate in their activities, riding around in UTVs as a family, and occasionally doing some hunting and fishing.

He feels very blessed to be part of the agricultural world and this is a great way for him to give back to our industry!

District 8 includes the following counties: Marshall, Day, Roberts, and Clark.
Board Member Photo Name:  David Iverson
Position:  Vice Chairman
City:  Astoria
Term End Date:  6/30/2025
Biography:
Dave Iverson has farmed for more than 30 years and currently raises corn and soybeans near Astoria, S.D. He served on the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council board for 9 years. Through his role on the soybean checkoff, Dave was chairman of the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) Committee and served on the Ag United for South Dakota Board. Currently, Dave serves as one of South Dakota’s representatives on the United Soybean Board. When not farming, he enjoys spending time with family and working on home landscaping projects.
Board Member Photo Name:  Michael McCranie
Position:  Treasurer
City:  Claremont
Term End Date:  6/30/2025
Biography:
Michael McCranie is a 4th generation farmer in the Claremont area, farming some of the same land his great grandfather homesteaded in 1881. He and his wife Monica have two sons, Matthew and Mitchell who also actively farm. Michael feels that being a member of and serving on farm organizations is important to the future of agriculture. He is a member of the Claremont United Methodist Church, the South Dakota Corn Growers Association, the South Dakota Soybean Association, the American Soybean Association, South Dakota Farmers Union and the Lower Crow Creek Drainage District. Michael served as a director on the South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, holding secretary/treasurer, Vice Chairman and Chairman positions. He was also a director on the United Soybean Board serving on the Domestic Marketing Committee and as Vice Chair of the International Marketing Committee and a director on the National Biodiesel Board where he was Chairman of the Research Committee which worked to g
Board Member Photo Name:  Dawn Scheier
Position:  Director
City:  Salem
Term End Date:  6/30/2025
Biography:
Dawn Scheier currently farms full time with her husband Pat in Salem, SD. Scheier Farms is a 4th generation farm where they raise corn and soybeans. Dawn received her education from ISU in animal science and is also a graduate of the South Dakota Ag and Rural Leadership Program. Besides being active on the farm, Dawn has over 23 years of experience working in agriculture businesses outside of the family farm. Some of the positions she has held for agricultural companies include Credit Manager and also National Sales Manager. Dawn has become an active and passionate volunteer with CommonGround, which is a consumer outreach group that helps start conversations about farming and food. Dawn is currently the St. Mary’s Church Alter Society VP, SCW Treasurer, a SD Corn Growers Assn. member, and a SD Soybean Assn. member. Some of her past experiences include 5 years on the Farm Credit Nominating Committee, and serving on the Salem St. Mary’s Church and School Finance Board. She is a strong su
Board Member Photo Name:  Derrick Scott
Position:  Director
City:  Geddes
Term End Date:  6/30/2026
Biography:
Derrick Scott is a fifth-generation farmer from Geddes, SD. He farms with his dad west of town and raises soybeans, corn, spring and winter wheat. Derrick has served as the local fire chief and still serves as a member of the Geddes Fire Department. He recently served on the South Dakota Soybean Association board. In his free time, he enjoys boating, golf, and dirt track racing. He is very excited to serve on the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council.

District 2 includes the following counties: Charles Mix, Bon Homme, Yankton, Clay, and Union.
Board Member Photo Name:  David Struck
Position:  Chairman
City:  Wolsey
Term End Date:  6/30/2024
Biography:
David Struck is a fourth-generation soybean, corn and wheat grower who farms with his wife, Brenda, son Brady and dad, Duane.

Actively involved in the day-to-day activities of his family farm since childhood – he started running tractors when he was 10 – farming is the only career Struck ever considered.

Struck wanted to serve on the SDSRPC board because, “it’s an opportunity to make a difference promoting South Dakota soybeans and the farmers who raise them.”
He adds that the promotional work SDSRPC engages in is essential to improving soybean markets today and into the future. “Most consumers are too far removed from the farm and don’t realize what it takes to produce food. The American farmer is good at what we do, which means most Americans don’t need to worry about where their food comes from. Because the SDSRPC board is made up of farmers, we have first-hand knowledge of the work that goes into raising our quality product and can help get our story out.”