Tanner Hento’s name is becoming more familiar, especially among soybean farmers in South Dakota. But now that familiarity is growing on a wider scope. The 36-year-old Avon, South Dakota producer was one of four winners of the National Outstanding Young Farmer award for 2026. Hento accepted the award during a ceremony in Hershey, Pennsylvania, 11 days after being elected president of the South Dakota Soybean Association. I happened to be master of ceremonies of the NOYF awards program on a cold February 7th in Hershey. I interviewed Tanner right after the evening’s festivities concluded. That conversation is this edition of The Soybean Pod.