Fueling Progress: Inside the 2023 Farm Progress Show

Fueling Progress: Inside the 2023 Farm Progress Show

By Olivia Key

It’s almost that time! Farm Progress Show, the nation's largest outdoor farm show, is right around the corner. Hosted every other year in Decatur, Illinois, Farm Progress Show is recognized around the world as the first large-scale agricultural event, and for over 70 years, has continued to lead the industry in scale and scope for showcasing the best and latest advancements in agriculture.

Each year, the Farm Progress Show is held near the end of August in either Boone, Iowa or Decatur, Illinois, and is known for its ability to connect farmers from around the globe with the agriculture industry’s leading companies and organizations, while also providing the opportunity to learn about the latest ag technology, hear from industry experts, experience live demonstrations, and participate in hands-on activities. Whether you’re bringing your co-workers, friends or family, the Farm Progress Show has something for everyone to enjoy.

“The Illinois Soybean Association has made a lot of headway since we attended the 2021 Farm Progress Show, and I’m excited to showcase our recent initiatives this year,” said ISA Chairman, Ron Kindred. “You can expect to see our agronomy research plot, interactive trade and export maps, soy-based asphalt and dust suppressant, legislative activities and a lot more from Illinois soy at this year's Farm Progress Show.”

At the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), Farm Progress Show planning begins months in advance and for the past few years, ISA and IL Corn have teamed up to create a themed booth that showcases both the Illinois corn and soybean industries.

IL Corn Director of Communications and Marketing, Lindsay Mitchell, said, “It feels very natural to partner with Illinois Soybean Association, as well as to have Illinois Beef Association and Illinois Pork Producers Association in our tent, because we all have the same goal. We all serve Illinois farmers. At times, the ways we serve our farmers overlap. Why not talk about those programs and partnerships at the largest farm show in Illinois? IL Corn and ISA showcasing our work together at Farm Progress Show is a perfect fit.”

At the 2021 Farm Progress Show, ISA and IL Corn celebrated “The Power of Two,” which highlighted the organizations’ many shared goals and priorities, including biofuels, trade, conservation, new uses, animal agriculture and more.

This year, the theme’s focal point is inspired by ISA and IL Corn’s dedication to the increased use of biodiesel and ethanol, biofuels derived from soybean oil and corn meal, respectively. “Fueling Progress” highlights the fact that the increased demand for biodiesel and ethanol makes your corn and soybeans more valuable, and both ISA and IL Corn work year-round to ensure your checkoff investments promote greater usage and higher blends of these renewable fuels in Illinois.

“We are thrilled to be back under the same roof with our partners at IL Corn for this year’s Farm Progress Show, showing attendees how their checkoff dollars are fueling progress for Illinois agriculture,” says Claire Weinzierl, ISA Communications Manager. “I encourage farmers to stop by the ‘Pit Stop’ to refuel, reconnect, and recharge with us to see all the ways their checkoff dollars are working for them.”

At the 2021 Farm Progress Show, ISA and IL Corn celebrated “The Power of Two,” which highlighted the organizations’ many shared goals and priorities, including biofuels, trade, conservation, new uses, animal agriculture and more.

At the Pit Stop, you’ll find games and activities for kids, hands-on learning experiences and opportunities to see how ISA and IL Corn are working to make the most of your checkoff dollars while creating increased opportunities and returns for Illinois farmers. Or you can stop by to take a seat to refuel, reconnect and recharge as you learn about the impact of your corn and soy checkoff investments while enjoying a sweet treat, courtesy of ISA.

You’ll also have the opportunity to see how Illinois soybeans travel from the state’s 43,000 farmers’ fields to worldwide destinations with an interactive display of our Trade and Export Journey map, bringing the Illinois soybean export story to life visually on ilsoy.org, and in-person at the Farm Progress Show.

To ISA’s Illinois Field & Bean readers, be sure check out the recording booth to let our staff writers know "what’s bean on your mind" and share your thoughts on the key issues facing Illinois soybean farmers for a chance to win an 80-piece DeWalt tool set.

Aside from all the fun that will be happening at the Pit Stop, ISA has even more exciting activities in store for guests, including a large-scale, soy-based asphalt application in the Varied Industries Tent, which uses cold-in-place technology and combines 100% recycled asphalt pavement mixed with a soy-based polymer. Similarly, ISA is funding the application of a soy-based dust suppressant to the gravel roads inside the exhibit grounds to limit the amount of dust as exhibitors and attendees drive into the show grounds.

Soy-based products are not only better for our environment, but they increase the number of new global and domestic markets for Illinois soybeans, and incorporating these products at the Farm Progress Show, which hosts nearly 100,000 attendees and 600 exhibitors each year, allows for the increased exposure of ISA’s initiatives, the versatility of soy and the Illinois soybean industry as a whole.

“ISA is proud to be investing in the Farm Progress Show site in Decatur through the application of a soy-based dust suppressant on the gravel roads around the site and soy-based asphalt application in the Varied Industries Tent,” says Weinzierl. “Soybeans are a very versatile crop and soy-based products are proven to be better for the environment and increase overall demand for soy.”

The ISA Soybean Production team also has big plans for Farm Progress Show this year. They are launching an agronomy test plot, where ISA’s soybean research initiatives will be showcased across six main plot areas, located at the south end of the show near Richland Community College.

“In future years, the goal is to highlight different management practices, help farmers understand what agronomic tools are available to them, and find ways to improve their return on investment. This is a space to highlight what agronomic research is being conducted within the state that is checkoff-funded and what programs and opportunities are available in which farmers can participate. We want the plot to be a space for farmers to come and meet the Soybean Production team, ask questions, and learn more about the many resources, tools, research and information available at ILSoyAdvisor,” said ISA Director of Soybean Production, Abigail Peterson.

The team will be challenging attendees’ field knowledge with weed identification, integrated pest management and cover crop identification quizzes to encourage making agronomy fun and problem solving in the field.

There will also be several events held throughout the show, including a media breakfast Tuesday morning, a reception for the Illinois 20 Under 40 winners, and a cocktail reception, hosted by the Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG), which will be held on Tuesday at 5:30pm in the Bayer tent.

You won’t want to miss out on the Farm Progress Show this year – we'll be saving your seat at booth #605!