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Illinois Soybean Growers: Voice For Illinois Soy; Advocate For Illinois Farmers
By Mace Thornton
While Illinois soybean farmers are working to wrap up the 2023 harvest season, Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG), the voluntary membership organization that advocates for Illinois soybean farmers, is still planting the seeds of membership growth. As the result of a vigorous year-round engagement campaign, ISG is eyeing a bountiful yield of new members who want to make their voices heard.
This year, ISG membership increased by 55 percent, elevating the organization to new heights and transforming it in terms of influential visibility among state and federal policymakers.
By virtue of her position as ISA’s Engagement Manager, Ashley Barry has been at the forefront of the organization’s skyrocketing membership growth. Yet, she is quick to humbly credit collaboration from leaders and engaged members, as well as the entire ISA staff – from Communications and Agronomy to Market Development and Government Relations – for organizational growth.
“This collaboration has been the lifeblood of the organization,” Barry said. “It’s not just the vision of one person but a collective effort to redefine what action through ISA and ISG looks like. Our staff’s dedication and cross-departmental collaboration has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life. This has undoubtedly been a team effort. We are all working together toward one goal, and our goal is to exceed the expectations of Illinois soy producers."
“We’re working to bring a regular schedule of new engagement opportunities for our membership,” she said. “We want to create opportunities for you as a member and one of those ways has been bringing policymakers to our doorstep. We've done things that weren't done in the past because the organization was so small. Now, we have over 40 staff members, giving us a new ability to do more than ever before.”
Continues Barry, “Now I can tell our members, ‘We’re going to bring legislators to you. We’re going to bring industry leaders to you. We’re going to continue to increase these opportunities to engage with them face-toface.’ That’s a big thing, and that’s what we’re doing.”
With larger membership rolls comes greater representational responsibility and influence. Part of that is to take engagement opportunities to farmers around the state, whether that is a legislative breakfast or an educational session about checkoff projects.
Dirk Rice, who farms near Philo in Champaign County, said he appreciates the increased activity to keep members plugged in. It’s a clear sign to elected leaders that farmers are engaged in the political system.
“Anytime you have more people involved, that’s also going to help increase an organization’s influence,” he said. “And then being able to communicate that interest to legislators makes a big difference.”
“Just having someone who can work directly with members, take questions when they have them and be available to support, that’s the value we’re looking to add,” said Barry. “We want to keep them abreast of everything that’s going on policy-wise and bring new value to their membership above and beyond what they were formerly receiving.”
A part of that roster of engagement strategies is one flagship event in particular. In January, during the annual meeting, the organization will host its first inaugural dinner for members. The event will include a keynote address by University of Illinois Professor Jonathan Coppess, a renowned expert on Farm Bill topics, and Illinois Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello. The event is designed to provide member guests the chance to hear more about the initiatives and legislation ISG has advanced over the past year and to express any concerns that are impacting them.
“The dinner will provide ISG representatives and members the chance to come together to learn, to listen to one another, and also to celebrate our growth over the last several months,” said Barry. “It’s this growth that has increased our influence among legislators.
"We’re showing our members the possibilities, how much more can be done, what our abilities are and what we're going to bring to the table through a leadership role as an Illinois agricultural organization. We want to become the premier ag organization in Illinois. That is what we are striving for.”
The substantial increase in activity and outreach is being noticed in Springfield. According to Barry, ISG has gone from asking questions about legislation to giving input on legislation to legislators inviting ISG to the negotiation table. As a result, the Government Relations team regularly receives calls from legislators and legislative staff wanting to know if they’re going to actively support the legislation or provide direction on necessary changes. The end benefit of that new dynamic falls to farmers, who see increased profitability and protection from burdensome regulation.
ISG enjoys broad support, something evident not only in its policy work but also in other circles of influence. “We want to give our members a better understanding of what their ISA checkoff is doing and, separately, what ISG is doing on the advocacy side and why both pieces are so important,” said Barry.
One member recently went to great lengths, and distances, to participate in an ISG engagement meeting. Elden Niemeyer, who farms near the Metro East area, drove more than 100 miles, about two hours, to attend a meeting in Effingham.
This level of dedication illustrates the effectiveness of the organization's evolving engagement strategy. Now, members such as Elden don’t just attend meetings to listen. They come to engage, participate and speak openly about their concerns.
Said Barry, “Not only do our members feel the invitation to speak freely about the issues that are concerning them, they want to hear what ISG is doing to bring new solutions.”
ISG has been particularly focused on bridging the gap of understanding with the urban-dominated Illinois legislature. The Government Relations team has been rapidly working to establish relationships with legislators not accustomed to the intricacies of the Illinois farm businesses that are a primary driving force of Illinois economic growth. ISG encourages farmers to voice their concerns, share their unique perspectives and actively influence the policy-making process.
ISG membership isn’t just an invitation to the table. It is an opportunity for soybean farmers to lead the process while representing the agricultural community. And when it comes to soybean advocacy in Illinois, it is clear that ISG is laying down a resilient seedbed that promises bountiful yields ahead.
