Celebrating Excellence: Get to know the 2023 ISA Impact Award Recipients

The Illinois Soybean Association’s Impact Awards Program honors individuals who have significantly impacted the Illinois soybean industry. This year’s slate of winners well represents the core of tomorrow’s agriculture future. As Board Chairman Steve Pitstick says, they are "leading agriculture into a new era through leadership, excellence, commitment and service.”

Chairman’s Award: Robert A. Easter, Ph.D.

The highest award given by the association, presented in appreciation of one’s dedication, leadership and years of service to the soybean industry

Lucky for agriculture, Texas ranches are full of potential. “The experience of growing up on a general grain, livestock and cotton farm in Texas not only fueled my enthusiasm for a career in agriculture,” says Bob Easter, "but also provided a host of life experiences that have been foundational to any success that I have had.”

In fact, as his nomination says, “Bob has dedicated his life to developing a positive future for the agriculture industry.”

After earning a bachelor’s and master’s from Texas A&M University, Bob headed to the University of Illinois for a doctorate in animal science. He would become full professor, then head of the Animal Sciences Department and Dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences before being named Interim Provost, Interim Chancellor and finally, President of the university.

Now retired, his official title is Emeritus President And Emeritus Professor. Bob spends time with family, plus consults on ag boards and advocates for ag. “Food is fundamental to human life, and soybeans are a premier source of high-quality protein for both humans and the animals that produce meat and eggs for the human diet. The nutritional value of the other cultivated plant proteins is inferior to that of the soybean,” he says.

Bob frames advocating for our industry as something that seems natural but isn’t about him. “It is an unanticipated honor, but more than that, it is an affirmation of the value of the work that I have done along with many colleagues to enhance the success of the soybean system from production to end-user.”

Excellence in Media Award: Holly Spangler

Recognizes a member of the media who promotes Illinois soybeans and Illinois agriculture through their coverage in print, broadcast, social and beyond

If agriculture had a voice, it would be Holly Spangler. An ag communicator through and through, she started at Prairie Farmer shortly before earning her Agricultural Communications degree at the University of Illinois. Twentyfive years later, she is Senior Editor for Prairie Farmer and Executive Editor for Farm Progress, which has six magazines in the Corn Belt.

As her nomination says, she is one of the nation’s leading agriculture writers, a five-time winner of U.S. ag’s top writing award for editorial opinion and only the 10th U.S. agricultural journalist to earn the prestigious Writer of Merit designation.

For Holly, this award is an opportunity to reflect on connections. “I really appreciate the relationship I’ve been able to have with the Illinois Soybean Association over the years,” she says. “Standing around the Farm Progress Show with Steve Pitstick talking about his operation, talking with Doug Schroeder on his farm when he was named a Master Farmer.”

That, Holly says, is her why. That she does it so much better, and certainly with more enthusiasm and love for ag, doesn’t occur to her: “It’s why we do what we do, so we can share these stories with our readers of what’s happening in agriculture, but also what their associations are doing for them.”

A farmer herself – she and her husband raise corn, soybeans and beef cattle – Holly has a dual appreciation for the critical role associations play in ag. “I appreciate the work the Illinois Soybean Association has done over the years and working closely with their media and communications folks.”

The link with associations such as ISA makes the difference in how she accomplishes that. “At the core of it all is relationships,” she says. “The best thing about agriculture and our job in agriculture is the people, and the Illinois Soybean Staff are some of the very best.”

Friend of IL Farmers: Gary Schnitkey, Ph.D.

Recognizes a friend to the organization and presented in appreciation of one’s efforts in championing on behalf of Illinois soybean farmers

Ask Gary Schnitkey why he supports Illinois ag and soybean farmers, and he’ll tell you it’s the job. As Professor of Farm Management and Soybean Industry Chair in Agricultural Strategy for the University of Illinois, that’s certainly true, but the fact is, it goes beyond that.

Sure, he analyzes the profitability of major field crops. But as his nomination explains, “His research informs farmers of the most profitable management practices and encourages long-term changes to impact yield.”

Raised on a corn, soybean, wheat and hog farm in northwest Ohio, Gary earned a bachelor’s in ag economics at The Ohio State University and a doctorate at the University of Illinois. He worked in dairy farm Extension at Ohio State before coming back to Illinois.

“I grew up on a farm and thought I could help with farm management,” he says. “That, to me, is one of the missions of the university, and I’m in a farm management post.”

Gary is driven by a desire to help farmers look deeper and see how they can better themselves and their farms. Making a difference is important to him.

“Today, if we don’t do analysis, farmers ask for it,” he says.

“That says something.”

Legislator of the Year: Rep. Mike Bost

Recognizes an Illinois lawmaker who is actively making a difference for soybean farmers by advocating for important industry issues, and who has a proven track record of support and championing farm policy

Republican representative Mike Bost recognizes the importance of having boots on the ground for agriculture at all times, thanks to the 10,000 farmers in his 12th District producing 1⁄4 of the state’s soybeans. “Ag is the second-largest employer in my district,” he says. “Illinois is a powerhouse in soybeans.”

After a short hiatus – “two years and two months too long” – Rep. Bost was appointed back to the House Committee on Agriculture in February 2023, a role in which he thrives. “Farmers produce our food and our fiber,” he says. “It’s important we get the Farm Bill by the end of the year and increase support for biofuels.”

Rep. Bost grew up in Murphysboro, Ill., then served in the U.S. Marine Corps before returning to his hometown and serving as a firefighter until his elections, first to the Illinois House for two decades and then to the U.S. House in 2015.

In addition to serving on the Agriculture Committee, he chairs the Veterans Affairs Committee. In fact, one of the bills he introduced was to expand veterans’ hiring in agriculture. He also introduced the Bale Act to aid beginning farmers.

Rep. Bost’s long-standing support of agriculture makes him a prime candidate for Legislator of the Year, and he is honored. “I’m going to continue to try to do the right thing by ag,” he says.

Farm Family of the Year: The Clavin Family

Recognizes a family actively engaged in ISA’s membership program, who shows commitment to ISA programming and has demonstrated impact in our industry and in their communities

Matthew Clavin and Leanne Casner are dedicated individuals with a profound commitment to agriculture and education. Matthew and his daughter, Leanne, are both actively involved in the management of Clavin Dairy Farms, located near Rosamond, Ill.

When Leanne Casner milked her first cow at age 7, she couldn’t have predicted she’d be advocating for those cows – and for agriculture – on a daily basis. But along with working at Clavin Dairy Farm, her family’s operation near Rosamond, she believes the job comes with a responsibility to dispel myths.

Daily Dose of Dairy is the Facebook page she created to do just that. As her nomination says, “She goes out of her way to share facts about why she milks cows and any other information about life on a dairy farm.” The page addresses concerns about antibiotics and hormone use, animal care, nutrition and more.

“So many people have no idea what it is like on a farm,” Leanne says. “Not much of the population has a background in ag, so I think it’s important for us to educate them.”

Leanne and her dad, Matthew Clavin, also believe one of the best ways for people to learn is to show them. They host tours for schools, individuals, farm bureaus, legislators. This summer, an open house for more than 400 members of the public.

“People talk about how inhumane it is, but I put the needs of my cows before my own,” Leanne explains. “A few years ago, there was a blizzard, and none of the hired hands could get here, but my husband, my daughter and I stayed on the farm to take care of the cows.”

Indeed, the Clavin operation, like many farms, has been a full family affair since Leanne’s grandfather started it in 1957. Today, Leanne and Matthew get support from from mom, Diane; sisters, Elizabeth and Annette; brother, Joseph; Leanne's eight-yearold daughter; Leanne's husband, Drew; plus myriad nieces and nephews.

Ag advocacy remains at the core of everything. “I always try to promote ag however I can,” Leanne says.