It’s Grow Time

JOHN LUMPE | CEO | ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION

Witnessing new growth emerging in the fields across the state is perhaps the most exciting part of this time of year. As farmers wrap up the 2023 planting season and seedlings take root, ISA staff are also “in the fields” learning new information, cultivating new relationships, and influencing decisions with farmers’ guidance that affect agriculture. While crops grow in the field, similarly, ISA staff across departments are growing their skills in the service of best serving farmers and reaching organizational goals. This time of year is also an important time for our Board of Directors to determine the projects that will be funded in our next fiscal year.

A number of proposals are submitted year after year, and it’s up to our 24 farmer leaders to decide which of those investment opportunities are most impactful to meeting organizational priorities based on strategic goals set by the Market Development, Soybean Production, and Government Relations Committees.

The ISA Market Development team works to promote Illinois soy as the preferred choice for U.S. and global customers and support advancement to infrastructure. Staff work to build Illinois soy's reputation in a variety of ways, including:

• Growing international and domestic markets for Illinois soy in the feed, food, fiber and fuel industries.

• Promoting Illinois' competitive advantage in infrastructure to stakeholders.

• Communicating the benefits of soy as a healthy source of protein and fat in food and feed products. Additionally, the team identifies and prioritizes the development and promotion of high-value, soy-based industrial products and works with strategic partners to increase soy-based fuel usage in major markets including diesel fleets, equipment, marine, and aviation.

The ISA Agronomy team fulfills goals of the Soybean Production Committee, conducting agronomic research and education that creates opportunities for Illinois soybean farmers to increase on-farm profitability and manage crop production risks. The team works to ensure Illinois soybean farmers are well equipped throughout each growing season, which involves a variety of projects, including:

• Building partnerships to supplement ISA's research and educations programs.

• Establishing basic and applied research priorities that address regionally-specific production challenges.

• Demonstrating soybean system agronomics focused on soil and water quality, agricultural resource resiliency and land stewardship.

• Continuing to expand the ISA agronomic network and raise awareness among farmers through ongoing outreach.

The ISA Government Relations team acts to improve legislation and build relationships that advance beneficial farm policies and limit burdensome regulations. The team works toward this goal by engaging in ongoing outreach across both the urban and rural political spectrum to further establish ISA as a trusted resource and policy leader, and to identify common priorities for potential partnerships. Additionally, the team works to deepen relationships with current partners and continues to lead beneficial coalitions, explores opportunities on current and future policy priorities, and cultivates a policy network that will support quick and effective action on legislation and regulation.

Across these pages, you’ll find several examples of the work our committees are powering forward by connecting global needs with local capabilities. While our farmers are out planting the crops that will nourish and sustain families around the world, ISA is growing opportunities that will nourish and sustain the farm families of Illinois.

We may not be in the fields working beside you, but we’re always working for you.