Illinois Field & Bean - May 2023

GAIN PRODUCTIVITY

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See what you have to gain at JohnDeere.com/Ag.

6 The Making of a Master Farmer

Get to know 2023 Master Farmer, Ron Moore.

14 Seven Ways the Soybean Checkoff Pays Off

Learn more about the latest checkoff-supported initiatives contributing to soybean farmers' bottom lines.

18 Meet the Envoys

Read about the seven ag industry professionals who are providing their agronomic expertise to you this growing season.

22 Soy Partner Pledge

See how the Soy Partner Pledge program gives Illinois first purchasers the opportunity to influence legislative decisions imperative to their business.

24 Bridge Bundling

Bridge bundling allows for the replacement, rehabilitation, or repair of two or more bridges under a single contract. Learn about ISA's efforts to advance Illinois' infrastructure improvements and stretch community resources to meet community needs.

CHAIRMAN

Steve Pitstick, Maple Park

District 2

VICE CHAIRMAN

Ron Kindred, Atlanta

District 9

SECRETARY

Tim Scates, Carmi

At-Large

TREASURER

Bryan Severs, Potomac

District 7

ASSISTANT SECRETARY-TREASURER

Dwayne Anderson, Lynn Center

District 3

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE

CHAIR

Brad Daugherty, West Union

District 14

MARKET DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

CHAIR

Scott Gaffner, Greenville

At-Large

UTILIZATION COMMITTEE CHAIR

Brady Holst, Plymouth

At-Large

DIRECTORS

Ryan Frieders, Waterman | District 1

Buck Hill, Grand Ridge | District 4

Mark Read, Putnam | District 5

Jim Martin, Pontiac | District 6

STAFF CREDITS

David Niekamp, Coatsburg | District 8

Elliott Uphoff, Shelbyville | District 10

Matt Murray, Paxton | District 11

Brock Willard, Pittsfield | District 12

Ed Murphy, Farmersville |

District 13

Jeff Parker, Belleville | District 15

Brian Atteberry, Carmi | District 16

Nick Harre, Nashville | District 17

Rick Rubenacker, McLeansboro | District 18

AT-LARGE DIRECTORS

Betsey Emerick, Vandalia

Jeff O'Connor, Kankakee

David Wessel, Chandlerville

UNITED SOYBEAN BOARD (USB)

Dwayne Anderson, Lynn Center

Gary Berg, St. Elmo

Lynn Rohrscheib, Fairmount

David Wessel, Chandlerville

AMERICAN SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION (ASA)

Stan Born, Mahomet

Daryl Cates, Columbia,

ASA President

Jered Hooker, Clinton

Jim Martin, Pontiac

Bill Raben, Ridgway

Rob Shaffer, El Paso

Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare, Nebo

Bill Wykes, Yorkville

Editor | Claire Weinzierl, Illinois Soybean Association

Assistant Editor | Betsy Osman, Illinois Soybean Association

Staff Writer | Brynna Sentel, Illinois Soybean Association

Staff Writer & Photographer | Stephen Sostaric, Illinois Soybean Association

Staff Writer | Olivia Key, Illinois Soybean Association

Digital Edition & Circulation Manager | Heather Rod, Illinois Soybean Association

OTHER ISA STAFF

Chief Executive Officer | John Lumpe

Director of Operations | Dustin Scott

Director of Market Development | Todd Main

Director of Finance | Kati Owen

Director of Government Relations & Strategy | Andrew Larson

Director of Agronomy | Abigail Peterson

The Illinois Soybean Growers is owner of Illinois Field & Bean, a publication for Illinois soybean farmers, designed and written to provide timely and useful industry information. Illinois Field & Bean is published by the Illinois Soybean Association, 1108 Trinity Lane, Bloomington, IL, 61704. For address corrections, contact Illinois Field & Bean at 1108 Trinity Lane, Bloomington, IL, 61704. Phone 309-663-7692. Web address: www.ilsoy.org. Email: heather.rod@ilsoy.org.

Comments and statewide news articles should be sent to the above address. Advertising space reservations must be made by the first of the month preceding publication. In consideration of the acceptance of advertisement, the agency and the advertiser must, in respect of the contents of the advertisement, indemnify and save the publisher harmless against any expense arising from claims or actions against the publisher because of the publication of the content of the advertisement.

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Claire Weinzierl

Communications Manager

Phone: (309) 663-7692

Email: claire.weinzierl@ilsoy.org

The Place We Call Home

Illinois is woven together by communities of unique character and quality, carried by the people and traditions that give voice to the generations of tomorrow. As human beings, we’re born with a need to belong, which is why community is so important: it helps us feel that we’re connected to one another and adds meaning to our lives. Community creates a sense of purpose, builds social connections, and offers a support network.

Getting involved at the local level with community boards is an important value of the Illinois Soybean Association Board of Directors. Just as farmers are the experts on their own operations, citizens understand their community’s exclusive challenges and opportunities. Community boards work on the principle that everyone should take equal responsibility, and that every individual is integral to the success of the community.

For farmers, community boards are excellent places to learn the art of advocacy, promoting the issues that impact our farms, and making our voices heard on topics that are important to us and our neighbors. Community leadership promotes professional development. Acquiring new skills, and building knowledge and experience can help prepare individuals for leadership roles at the state, and even national level.

Being involved with a community board also provides excellent networking opportunities. You might be surprised at just how many contacts you can gain through a community-based board. Serving on a board allows farmers the opportunity to network within their communities. Networking is a key aspect of serving on the board, but the decisions made at the local level are integral for Illinois farmers' success.

This issue of Illinois Field & Bean , “Go Local: Returning Soybean Checkoff Investments to Illinois Communities,” explores the ways your checkoff investments are advancing wide-ranging, high-value regional programs across the state. We’ll provide a birds-eye view of different community fixtures from across Illinois, including bridges and critical infrastructure points, agribusiness companies and organizations, historical monuments, and hometown heroes who are making waves across the agricultural landscape. You’ll read about ISA’s checkoff-funded community efforts around the state that build demand for and raise the profile of soybean production and its importance to every Illinoisan.

North, south, east, and west, our initiatives can be found on the road, in rural communities, metropolitan areas, at the statehouse, and beyond. We’re using our community relationships to build demand for soybeans and create new opportunities for Illinois farmers. And you’ll read about them from community members themselves.

As soybean farmers, we make a living by the crop we give to the world. But we make a life by what we give to the friends, families, and neighbors in the place we call home.

BRAD DAUGHERTY | ISA GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders, Today

Irish poet William Butler Yeats once said, "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." Since launching the first internship program in 2021, the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) has helped stoke those fires among five undergraduate students interested in careers in agriculture.

Of those five, all three from the 2022 class of interns received job offers to remain at ISA at the conclusion of their internships, and one of the first two interns of 2021 will be returning as a communications/government relations intern in 2023.

Nationwide, 56 percent of all interns accept job offers from the company they interned for. Another 14 percent of all interns are given a part-time job offer after completing their internship. At ISA, 80 percent of our interns continue employment with the organization, representing only one small indicator of the program’s undeniable success.

The value of internship opportunities for both the organization and students is boundless. Each generation seems to have its own way of looking toward the future with fresh eyes. Illinois has deep roots in agriculture, but the average age of an Illinois farmer is nearly 58 years old. Engaging younger generations and growing their knowledge and interest in the ag sector brings new ideas that help give Illinois farmers a competitive advantage.

Since 2020, ISA has increased its outreach efforts, including building relationships with ag educators and identifying where soy can have a larger presence. The agronomy team specifically has worked to build connections with universities and looks forward to hosting their first two interns next year, both students from Illinois State University, one of which will be ISA’s first graduate student intern. The goals of the agronomy team’s internships are to give their interns a variety of experiences and demonstrate careers that are available to provide third-party support to farmers and to provide traditional agronomy and outreach opportunities.

ISA’s internships are fully immersive; interns are onboarded much like regular staff and work a standard schedule. They’re integrated into meetings and given assignments that help advance the projects ISA’s staff and board work on full-time and help to grow their professional portfolio. Our interns are fully indoctrinated into our company culture, dedicated to serving Illinois farmers in myriad ways, with opportunities to learn about soybeans and agriculture from the different perspectives of each of our departments.

Interns attend two board meetings over the summer, getting a behind-the-scenes look at how the budget is allocated and how projects for the next year are handpicked, while contributing their efforts to the current year’s projects, a practice that helps provide a 360-degree view of how ISA operates. By experiencing

everything at the organization holistically, students leave with more rounded knowledge of commodity agriculture in Illinois, providing a uniquely-lived experience to these young professionals.

Long gone are the days of interns being tasked with coffee runs and mindless paper shredding. At ISA we’re creating long-lasting and meaningful partnerships that grow more every year. We’re lighting fires.

JOHN LUMPE | CEO | ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION

ISA staff regularly attend university Career Days to promote internship opportunities to college students.

Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff

The Making of a Master Farmer

By Betsy Osman

Ron Moore is a man of few words, but they’re always the right ones.

His warm, affable demeanor makes him approachable, despite his desire to keep a low profile. And as any of his farming friends and colleagues will tell you, his leadership and soft strength are key cultivators of the rich soil needed to grow important relationships.

“I first met Ron when I joined the Illinois Soybean Association Board,” remembers Steve Pitstick, ISA Chairman. “Over the years, I’ve watched Ron take every opportunity to serve as an outstanding spokesman for soybeans at the state and national level, encouraging communication with other commodity groups in order

to speak with one voice and have more influence in the policymaking process in both Springfield and Washington, D.C., Ron works to create new relationships and efficiencies within the soy family, all in the service of strengthening Illinois’ position as the number one producer of soy.”

Ron was born in Monmouth, Illinois. His mother was a teacher and tended to the home and family while his father farmed the land. “My father was hands-down the most influential person in my life,” says Ron. “He taught me the meaning of a strong work ethic and the value of volunteering my time to make my community a better place to live and work.”

Ron attended Roseville High School and then Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri, where he studied business administration and economics, and was

exposed to the expansive world of corporate America. It was during a senior year class trip when Ron and his classmates were touring several businesses in the St. Louis area, learning the ins-and-outs of business practice and different work environments, that he made an important self-discovery.

“I remember we were asked to wear a suit and tie for these visits,” recalls Ron. “As we toured impressive offices and shook hands with business professionals from successful companies, I realized more and more that I didn’t belong there. A life in a corporate role didn’t appeal to me. It was at that point that I began to feel the urge to return home to my family and continue our farming legacy.”

Shortly after returning home to the family farm, Ron remembers repairing a tile outlet that wasn’t working properly. The soil from a

moldboard plowed field had silted over the outlet by about three feet. The filter strip had done its job to keep the silt out of the stream, but that event provided young Ron a powerful new insight. “That was when I realized that we needed to do something different than plow all of our acres. That’s when we began incorporating conservation tillage practices.”

Today, Ron, his wife, Deb, and his son, Mike, grow 800 acres of soybeans, 800 acres of corn, and raise 150 head of feeder steers on 150 acres of pasture. His cropping practices include conservation tillage on about half the acres and no-till on the other half.

Deb began her career as a fifth-grade teacher, but today she manages the financial aspects of the farm, tracks yield on each field, and enjoys running the grain cart during harvest. Ron

Ron and his wife, Deb, and son, Mike, grow 800 acres of soybeans, 800 acres of corn, and raise 150 head of feeder steers on 150 acres of pasture.

and Deb have three sons with families of their own. Mike lives nearby, Steven lives in the Detroit area, and Brian lives in North Carolina.

Though volunteering his time always came naturally for Ron, speaking in front of large groups did not.

“Back in the beginning, getting up to address a crowd was painful,” laughs Ron. “I was terribly nervous and would agonize for days leading up to speaking engagements. Fortunately, the more I did it, the more confident I became. I think that’s key to overcoming something that causes anxiety; practicing more and more so that the fear eventually loses its grip.”

Ron was given the opportunity to present to the United Nations Secretary, General Ban Ki Moon who was at a meeting in St. Louis to discuss how U.S. agriculture could help with small holder farmers in developing countries to improve food security.

During the China trade disputes in 2018, Ron was able to visit the United States Department of Agriculture Office of the Chief Economist. His group shared the compelling message that the existing tariffs were causing the soybean market to collapse.

“Ron deserves a lot of credit for his guidance to the soybean industry during the time of the China tariffs,” says Pitstick. “He was a constant spokesperson for farmers on that issue, advocating for ‘trade, not tariffs,’ fostering positive relationships and communication between agricultural groups and legislative leaders. It was his efforts that resulted in positive outcomes that fall.”

Over his long career, Ron served as President of the American Soybean Association (ASA) and as Chairman of the Illinois Soybean Association. He also served on the Board of Directors of the United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and is past chairman of the Illinois Council for Best

Management Practices (CBMP), a coalition of ag groups in Illinois promoting improving farmers' resource management and profitability. Currently, Ron serves on the Community National Bank Board in Monmouth, Illinois, and the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District Board.

Most recently, Ron has a new title to add to his long list of accomplishments: Master Farmer. He and three other Illinois producers were honored at Prairie Farmer magazine’s annual event in Bloomington, Illinois, on Wednesday, March 15th.

“When I think back on my early days on the state soybean board, Ron was the guy I wanted most to be like,” says 2022 Master Farmer and former ISA Chairman, Doug Schroeder. “Ron didn’t talk all the time, but when he did, it was spot on. He always made time for me and encouraged me to look for leadership opportunities. For Ron, it’s never about personal wins or becoming a big name in agriculture. It’s about improving the board he’s on, improving the community he’s in, and improving the industry of which we’re all a part.”

But even the thrill of this prestigious award isn’t enough to get Ron to talk about his own

achievements. He’d rather hear about how your family is doing, what’s going well on your farm and what isn’t, and talk about what’s next for Illinois.

“I’m so optimistic about the future of Illinois agriculture, and that’s due to the young people who are getting involved. It’s true that the average age of farmers continues to rise, but the people I interact with in

agribusiness are young people. And best of all, they want to stay in rural Illinois and continue working in agriculture.”

“I see young talent coming up in boards, coming up in state organizations, and even inventing new ways to make the agriculture scene accessible to the world outside,” says Ron. “The future for Illinois isn’t just bright; it’s beaming with potential.”

Ron and Deb have three sons with families of their own. Mike lives nearby, Steven lives in the Detroit area, and Brian lives in North Carolina.

Ron was named one of Prairie Farmer's 2023 Master Farmers.

Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff

Make Moves with U.S. Soy

WISHH connects Trade, Development & Food Security in Cambodia where fish account for 61% of households' animal protein intake. We cultivate trade with Cambodian feed mills that are buying U.S. soybean meal for the growing aquaculture industry that WISHH is developing. Our trade and development work makes protein more available in the country where 45% of Cambodians live in moderate or severe food insecurity.

Find out how WISHH’s three pillars of trade, development and food security cultivate new markets for U.S. Soy protein.

Trade. Development. Food Security.

INVESTING IN NEW MARKETS FOR U.S. SOY

From promoting the profitability of using high-quality soybean meal in India to training animal producers on nutrition in Colombia, the soy checkoff is working behind the scenes to develop more market opportunities for U.S. soy. We’re looking inside the bean, beyond the bushel and around the world to keep preference for U.S. soy strong. And it’s helping make a valuable impact for soybean farmers like you.

See more ways the soy checkoff is maximizing profit opportunities for soybean farmers at unitedsoybean.org

A Seat at the Table

Planting season is finally here, my mind is already on the harvest and the market opportunity of my soybeans and what that could mean for my family’s bottom line. While I farm full-time and continue my seventh-generation farm, every year I also serve to direct and engage the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff program. The checkoff funds programs that support farmers like me, from agronomy, educating growers about the latest soybean production issues to market development, ensuring that I have diversified markets to sell my soybeans. There is a third leg of ISA, though, one I have had the opportunity to participate in more at lobby days in Springfield and Washington, D.C., I view the role of ISA’s Government Relations efforts as a group that is ensuring I have a seat at the table. Come with me as I walk you through our first quarter “menu” and the opportunities that await farmers like you.

At the state level, ISA has hosted several opportunities for farmers to interface with legislators and promote our pro-agriculture policy priorities. Farmers support biodiesel and renewable fuels because we know this is an emerging market for our soybeans and an opportunity to save money at the tank. Estate taxes in Illinois are at an unsustainably low threshold, with the federal tax exemption being nearly three times higher than the state level; this means higher taxes for transferring on the legacy of the family farm to the next generation. ISA is fighting to get the state tax level closer to the federal tax exemption level, but it will take growers like you and I calling our legislators and advocating for this change to move the needle forward. It’s critically important to engage with our local governments on transportation issues as well, encouraging bridge bundling and other means of replacing rural bridges across this state. Finally, please join me in encouraging our lawmakers to preserve the rights of our livestock farmers and relieve the burdens placed on them as they seek to expand their operations and meet the massive demands of our consumers.

Federally, it’s the year of the Farm Bill which means it’s the year farmers like you and I need to make our voices

louder than ever to ensure the protection of crop insurance, expanded opportunities for trade with increased MAP/FMD funding, and sufficient funding for locks and dams. In March, I visited Washington, D.C., and our delegation of ten farmers met with nearly every Illinois legislator to make our priorities known. I personally had an opportunity to meet with several offices, but I know it can’t just be my voice advocating for farmers. In addition to the work of our Government Relations staff, it will take every farmer in the state advocating for the passage of a pro-agriculture Farm Bill to continue the success of the family farm. Please take a minute of your time today and call your Representative, asking them to advocate for the family farm and support a timely and practical Farm Bill. You can find out more about our policy asks at www.ilsoy.org/focus-areas/government-relations.

This year, the dish at the table is piping hot, with an ever active Illinois General Assembly and a Congress considering another opportunity to pass a pro-agriculture Farm Bill. The Illinois Soybean Association is working for farmers, from the field (agronomy), to the market (market development), to the table (government relations). I’ve taken my seat at the table and will continue to advocate for farmer-friendly policies. I welcome and urge you to join me.

RYAN FRIEDERS | BOARD DIRECTOR | ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION

We’ve Bean There

Expect the Unexpected

I recently accepted the position of Editor of a 12-issue per year publication. In fact, it’s the Illinois Field & Bean magazine that you’re reading right now.

I grew up on a crop farm just outside of Stanford, Illinois, the third daughter of a third-generation farmer. Until I was in the second semester of my freshman year at Illinois State University, I had little-to-no interest in pursuing a career in agriculture. While beginning courses to achieve my journalism major, surrounded by students from the suburbs who graduated from high school in numbers far above my graduating class of 115, I began to realize that none of these students – consumers – had any idea where their food came from or what an Illinois farm looks like. I took it upon myself in those classes where we had the opportunity to blog on subjects of our choice to begin addressing those concerns, helping to explain what agriculture looks like in a relatable way to those who are so far removed from the farm. This path brought about a new passion for me to relate to this audience and inspired me to add a second major in agriculture communications.

My early career led me to a marketing communications job at an FS member company following my junior year internship at GROWMARK. From there, I spent time working in communications for the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC at SIUE), where small-scale biobased products underwent research and commercialization to the marketplace. While at SIUE, I obtained my master’s in business administration with a specialization in business analytics to expand my career skillset.

In October of 2020, I found myself facing a new opportunity to join in the growth of the Illinois Soybean Association’s communications team, and it’s indisputably been the best decision I’ve ever made. In my two and a half years as communications manager, I’ve had the honor of being involved in several projects and initiatives to fulfill Illinois soybean farmers’ checkoff investments in ways that not only meet their priorities, but bring them return on investment.

In my role, I’ve also had several opportunities to travel to new parts of the country and even internationally. It’s a whole different type of learning

experience to see, firsthand, where Illinois’ soybeans are traveling, and to meet with partners and soy customers all over the world. But perhaps the greatest part of international travel is coming home, bringing back those new relationships and perspectives, and folding them into our work here in Illinois; introducing global awareness to local action.

In a fast-moving business such as agriculture, industry conditions can change on a dime. We at the Illinois Soybean Association understand that and it is our mission to uphold the interests of Illinois soybean producers through promotion, advocacy, research and education. Whether it be Government Relations, Market Development or Soybean Production, your team at ISA is working tirelessly on efforts that matter to you and your operation. I hope you’ll continue to read along in this issue and future issues of Illinois Field & Bean as we bring you crucial, timely information you can rely on in an ever-evolving industry.

At ISA, we expect the unexpected and are constantly looking ahead for ways we can best support our number one priority: Illinois soybean farmers.

CLAIRE WEINZIERL | EDITOR | ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION

Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff

Meet the Envoys

By Brynna Sentel

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) has named the talented group of seven ag industry professionals who make up the ILSoyAdvisor Soy Envoy class for the 2023 growing season.

The program runs from March through October and the Envoys contribute actionable information, advice, and in-season updates via the ILSoyAdvisor blog to support Illinois soybean farmers in their goals of increasing yields and profits while minimizing environmental impact.

“ISA is excited to welcome seven new Soy Envoys for this year’s program,” says Stephanie Porter, Outreach Agronomist for ISA. “Our Soy Envoys work in fields with farmers daily. Our program is a networking opportunity to learn from other agronomic professionals and share soybean knowledge and information with not only each other but also farmers statewide.”

The Soy Envoys will write blogs, provide in-field video updates, and share actionable soybean insight on social media.

Funded by the ISA checkoff program, the ILSoyAdvisor Soy Envoy program has expanded to include agronomy experts from across the state, including crop consultants, industry professionals, and a research student who will be providing local recommendations throughout the season to Illinois farmers.

The 2023 Soy Envoys include:

Crystal Williams

Williams of West Brooklyn, Illinois, serves farmers across northern Illinois through her job as a Pioneer Field Agronomist. She specializes in helping customers find avenues to mitigate white mold pressure by recom-

mending alternative management practices. She has worked with farmers across the Midwest for the last six years and finds the most rewarding part is seeing farmers reach new heights in their operations. Williams is excited to help give back to fellow Illinois farmers. She was raised on a farm in LaSalle County, where she enjoyed growing up around soybeans, corn, wheat, and cattle on her family farm. She attended Kansas State University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in agronomy and a master's degree in agribusiness. WIlliams, her husband Garrett and their daughter have a small farmette that they’ve transitioned to a “funny farm” with a few cows and chickens.

“Williams is the host of Pioneer's Illinois Agronomy Podcast, a podcast that pulls together Pioneer agronomists from across the state to keep growers one step ahead of agronomic issues," says Matt Montgomery, Pioneer Agronomist. “She will be a wonderful addition to the program.”

Michael Hicks

Hicks of Ursa, Illinois, is a High Yield Specialist with Ursa Farmers Cooperative Seed Solutions. Hicks brings 12 years of ag industry experience to the Soy Envoy program and specializes in helping farmers achieve optimal results by implementing effective crop management strategies and

providing exceptional support to his growers. Hicks has worked with hundreds of farmers across the country, gaining valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by modern agriculture. He has a strong understanding of the latest trends in crop production, soil health, pest management, and precision agriculture technologies.

Throughout his career, Hicks has placed a strong emphasis on customer service, and has always gone the extra mile to ensure that his clients receive the support they need to succeed. He understands the importance of building strong relationships with customers, and has developed a reputation for his professionalism, integrity and commitment to excellence. Hicks works closely with farmers, agronomists, and industry leaders to develop innovative strategies for improving crop yields and profitability. His expertise, dedication and customer service focus make him an asset to the agriculture industry.

“It is so exciting to have Hicks representing Western Illinois,” says Abigail Peterson, Director of Agronomy for ISA. “Western Illinois usually poses unique climate and IPM needs that could be more closely related

even more value to farmers in the area.”

to Iowa or Missouri than central Illinois. Hicks’ expertise within nutrient management, cover crops and specialty beans bring

Corrigan of Goodfield, Illinois, is an independent agronomist and co-owner of McGillicuddy Corrigan Agronomics, an agronomic consultant to farmers in the upper Midwest. She is a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) and has a master's degree in agronomy-weed science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Corrigan also serves as an adjunct instructor at Carl Sandburg College and Heartland Community College teaching classes on agronomy, soils, horticulture, and pesticide application.

She brings 26 years of ag industry experience to the Soy Envoy program and specializes in weeds, herbicides, and pest management. Corrigan is the mother of two elementary aged girls and two doodles. She also records a monthly podcast with her friends Kelsey Litchfield and Jen Campbell called "Girls Talk Ag."

"Corrigan brings a lot of expert knowledge and information to soybean farmers, especially in weed management," says Kelsey Litchfield, Agronomic Outreach Coordinator for ISA. "As an independent agronomist and CCA, she will share agronomic content through ILSoyAdvisor. com, Twitter, and the "Girls Talk Ag" podcast.

Karen Corrigan

Kelly Robertson

Robertson of Benton, Illinois, is the owner and lead agronomist of Precision Crop Services in Benton where they provide agronomic services for their customers including soil testing, crop scouting, data analysis, GPS/GIS services such as variable rate seeding and fertility recommendations as well as farm and agronomy management for their customers. Robertson brings 38 years of ag industry experience to the Soy Envoy program and specializes in soil fertility and precision agriculture. He has been a soil fertility agronomist and precision agriculture consultant in southern Illinois since 1989 while also spending time in farm/ agronomy management roles for farms in southern Illinois.

Robertson is a Certified Professional Agronomist, CCA, Certified 4R Nutrient Management Specialist, 2015 Illinois Soybean Association Double Crop Specialist, 2016 Illinois CCA of the Year, 2017 Illinois Soybean Association Soy Envoy and the 2021 Illinois Soybean Association Dave Rahe Excellence in Soils Consulting Award winner.

“I’ve known Robertson for over 35 years in the role(s) as student, friend, colleague, and for lack of a better phrase, competitor,” says Terry Wyciskalla, Certified Soil Fertility Specialist for Wyciskalla Consulting, LLC. “One of the best things about Robertson is that he speaks his mind, pulls no punches, and does not dance around a subject. Farm producers need this type of advice without the potential of a product being sold after the conversation.”

Kris Ehler

Ehler of Champaign, Illinois, is a Sales Agronomist for Ehler Brothers Company in Thomasboro, Illinois. Ehler is a graduate of the University of Illinois and a CCA. Ehler brings 21 years of ag industry experience to the Soy Envoy program and specializes in early planting, seed treatments, high yield strategies, planting populations and in-season management.

He was the first recipient of the Soybean Master Adviser in 2017 for ISA. Ehler was part of the advisory and agronomy team to help growers Bob and Jason Lakey set the Illinois state soybean record of 108 in 2015 and win the Illinois Yield contest in 2016 and 2017. His social media page, "The Pursuit of 100+ Bushel Soybeans," has helped growers implement early planting and management practices to increase yields. his wife, Tracy, have twin four-year-old girls. When not pursuing high yield soybeans, Ehler enjoys camping, riding motorcycles and live music.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Ehler for over six years as his representative for Stoller USA,” says Mark Mullen, Territory Sales Manager for Stoller USA. “Ehler is very results oriented and customer focused. He commands the latest technology and is the tip of the sword for thinking outside the box as well as implementing innovative products and practices. He is a pioneer of early planted soybeans, a trustworthy resource, and reliable go-to for extracting the most yield from an acre of farm ground.”

Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff

Leo Rocha

Rocha of Carbondale, Illinois, is a Post-Doctoral Researcher for Southern Illinois University (SIU). He grew up in southeastern Brazil on a small coffee farm, and has been involved in agriculture for as long as he can remember. Leo received his bachelor's degree in agronomy from Universidade Federal de Espirito Santo. He joined SIU as a graduate student in 2017 and later received his doctorate in agricultural sciences with an emphasis on plant pathology and nematology. His research projects focus on soybean pathology and soybean cyst nematode (SCN) management practices. Rocha looks forward to sharing soybean pathology and disease management information with Illinois farmers.

“Rocha recently won first place at our Soybean Summit Student Research Poster Competition with his research titled, ‘Exploring the suppression of SCN (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) populations by wheat through a multi-omics approach,'" says ISA Research Agronomist Jennifer Jones. “We’re very excited for him to serve as a Soy Envoy and share his expertise and passion on SCN and plant diseases with soybean growers around the state.”

Matt Herman

Herman of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, is an account manager (DSM) for Burrus Seed Company. He is a 2020 graduate of Southern Illinois University (SIU) and majored in crop, soil, and environmental management with a minor in agribusiness economics. He brings a lifetime of ag industry experience

as he grew up on his family farm. While attending SIU, Herman conducted undergraduate research on precision nitrogen management. Upon graduation, he was employed at Wabash Valley Service Company as a Crop Specialist where he became a CCA. As a crop specialist, he managed growers' acres by recommending seed, chemical, fertilizer and specialty products. After a year and a half, Herman decided to follow his passion in the seed industry and joined Burrus Seed Farms.

He and his wife farm alongside his grandfather in Claremont, Illinois. His passion lies in agronomy and he enjoys working with growers to help them achieve goals and ultimately increase their return on investment. Herman strives to continue to learn about new products and practices in order to stay up-to-date with the ever changing agriculture industry. As of recently, he is now a certified commercial aerial applicator where he plans to use new drone technology to research various products on corn, soybean, and wheat acres.

“I have known Herman since shortly after he graduated from college and started working in the retail seed and fertilizer business,” says John Pike, Research Agronomist and Consultant. “ I have been impressed with Herman's thorough understanding of foundational agronomic concepts and his drive to learn all he can. I know Herman will be a great asset to the Soy Envoy program and will continue to benefit many farm operations as his career progresses further.”

MAINTAINING OUR REPUTATION TO DELIVER

Whether shipping by river, road or rail, the soy checkoff is committed to ensuring America’s infrastructure is a significant advantage for U.S. soybean farmers. We’re looking inside the bean, beyond the bushel and around the world to keep preference for U.S. soy strong. And it’s helping make a valuable impact for soybean farmers like you.

See more ways the soy checkoff is maximizing profit opportunities for soybean farmers at unitedsoybean.org

Soy Partner Pledge

By Olivia Key

Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) is committed to advocating for Illinois farmers through influencing key legislation at the local, state and national levels. The work conducted by ISG staff and the ISG Political Action Committee (PAC) helps to secure policies to enable Illinois soybean farmers to be the most effective soybean producers in the world, and they are well on

their way.

However, checkoff funds cannot be used to lobby or advocate on initiatives and issues, which is where the Soy Partner Pledge (SPP) program comes into play. SPP members help to fill the gap by creating a network of agriculture industry partners to fund legislative work in both Washington, D.C. and Springfield.

The program gives Illinois first purchasers the opportunity to influence legislative decisions imperative to their

business and Illinois agriculture. Issues such as favorable trade agreements, market access, transportation infrastructure, biotech acceptance overseas, and Farm Bills that will maximize production in Illinois are all topics ISG will be able to better influence with the help of SPP members.

Partners also have the opportunity to provide insight into what is happening in the soybean industry and are provided with direct communication to grassroots policy work. Through

these efforts, the program gives industry partners the ability to help maximize profitability for growers and the soybean industry as a whole.

The SPP program is an important source for ISG, ISA’s non-checkoff organization, as it aims to garner support for their efforts. ISA Director of Government Relations & Strategy, Andrew Larson, says, “Each year agriculture plays defense on thousands of bills in the General Assembly. Having ISG grow its efforts to engage on legislation

Soy Partner Pledge members help to create a network of agriculture industry partners to fund legislative work at the local, state and national levels.

and politically represent agriculture is more critical now than ever with over two thirds of the General Assembly coming from districts that have few, if any, farmers. Funds from SPP go directly to support this effort and grow the voice of agriculture in Springfield.”

SSP Partners are asked to reinvest the two percent credit against the quarterly soybean checkoff which puts those dollars back to work for them and the rest of Illinois agriculture. Partners receive automatic membership in ISG, plus the opportunity to participate and provide input at special invitation events such as policy education, advocacy training, research forums and marketing and education tours.

Additionally, partners will receive targeted and timely information with regular email updates along with a subscription to the Illinois Field & Bean magazine. Plus, ISA acknowledges their efforts at farm

shows and other publications across the organization.

Current SPP Partners include ADM, Bayer, Big River

Resources, Cargill, The Equity, Pioneer, Rumbold & Kuhn, and Standford Grain Company. If your organization is interested

in becoming a SPP Partner, visit www.ilsoygrowers.com/ soy-partner-pledge/ to learn more.

Tendovo® soybean herbicide is setting a new preemergence standard. It combines unprecedented weed control and crop safety to deliver higher potential yield in soybeans. Compatible with any soybean production system and soil type, Tendovo provides a sound defense against more than 70 yield-robbing weeds. See how Tendovo delivers weed control without compromise at SyngentaUS.com/Tendovo

counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status.

Partners receive automatic membership in ISG, plus the opportunity to participate and provide input at special invitation events such as policy education, advocacy training, research forums and marketing and education tours.

Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff

Bridge Bundling

Stretching Community Resources to Meet Community Needs

By Stephen Sostaric

Bridges. Just the word can inspire visions of soaring steel trusses or suspension cables flung from shore to shore. The biggest and most famous can inspire and have become travel destinations in their own right. But while the importance of bridges that carry major interstate highways over the rivers and harbors of the nation is obvious, rural residents know that the thousands of smaller bridges throughout their counties are every bit as important. These critical connections are vital links for farmers to bring what they produce to market. Rural bridges tie together the local road networks that help feed the world.

The state of our infrastructure has been much discussed in recent years, and bridges have figured prominently. Infrastructure projects, however, require time and money to design and complete. This is where the innovative concept of bridge bundling comes in. So what is bridge bundling?

Bridge bundling allows for the replacement, rehabilitation, or repair of two or more bridges under a single contract. This means

highway departments are able to significantly reduce project costs and maximize resources. Recognizing the benefits of fixing the rural bridges that Illinois farmers use every day, the Illinois Soybean Association has been working to bring bridge bundling to Illinois.

Currently, Illinois has 2,397 bridges classified by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as being in poor condition, about 9 percent of the total bridges in the state. Of this number, 29 percent are owned by the state, 15 percent by counties, 44 percent by townships, and 12 percent by municipalities.

ISA’s initial efforts began with educating stakeholders across Illinois with webinars explaining bridge bundling. These highlighted case studies with bridge contractors and other state departments of transportation that have successfully implemented bridge bundling. States represented included Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Finally, this message was taken directly to highway engineers when the ISA team spoke at the Illinois County Engineers Association’s state conference. The discussions inspired by this outreach provided valuable

real-world insights that played a key role in refining the project.

The project’s original goal was to support the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in developing a bridge bundling program like other states had. Since the state had the most bridges rated poor of any single entity, bringing IDOT on board would provide the most initial bang for the buck. Once IDOT began the implementation of its own bridge bundling system, the team’s focus shifted to the remaining bridges under local control.

“Over 70 percent of bridges in Illinois are under local control,” says Todd Main, ISA Director of Market Development. “These are also the entities that need the most support for projects like this due to limited resources. Once IDOT had started on their own program, we knew it was time to shift to a bigger focus.”

Having the time to compile grant applications is one of the biggest constraints for local stakeholders. To help ease this process, ISA has created an online Bridge Bundling Dashboard. Pulling data from the FHWA, the dashboard uses an interactive map of Illinois to provide the status

of each county’s bridges. This data helps illustrate the need in a given county. To further facilitate this process, ISA is also currently working to create a toolkit for local entities to use as a how-to guide when creating and implementing bridge bundling programs at the local level.

One example of how this effort is finding success at the local level is Boone County in northern Illinois. They have already started one of the first local-level bridge bundling projects in the state, with a project for five bridges. Justin Krohn, Boone County Engineer, has been spearheading the effort. “We have a growing issue with rural bridges, particularly rural township bridges, and funding inadequacies. Bridge bundling is one of the tools in our toolbox to reduce expenses and get more done more efficiently,” says Krohn. As the lead entity for the project, he has been bringing together representatives of Boone and McHenry Counties as well as two different Army Corps of Engineers districts and two different IDOT districts. “It’s a lot of work to get everyone working together and on the same page.”

Locally-owned rural bridges are the focus of ISA's local bridge bundling efforts.

Krohn took the initiative after hearing about other real world examples. “After attending a FHWA work group with others who have done bridge bundling in 2021, we posted a request for qualifications for our own bundling project,” says Krohn. “We saw a lot of interest in the project, ultimately receiving 18 submissions from engineering firms.” Ultimately the firms Chastain & Associates and TranSystems were selected in early 2022 as the consultants for Phases I & II of the project, covering planning, design, and permitting of the bridges.

The five bridges in Boone County’s bundle are all located along nearly six miles of Piscasaw Creek in northeast Boone County and northwest McHenry County. Three of the bridges are in Boone County, with McHenry County coming on board the project in 2022 with another two. All of them were built in the 1950s and 1960s with timber substructures on timber pilings. As bridges deteriorate, load limits are first put in place, eventually leading to a full closure

if nothing is done. Krohn’s goal is to avoid this extreme measure to preserve rural road connections that are needed to keep the county’s farmers as profitable as possible. “Detours mean more driving when bringing products to market, leading to higher expenses cutting into farmers’ profits,” he says. “Some of them could have detours of up to 10 or 20 miles because these bridges all cross the same waterway, and that’s what we want to avoid.”

Currently, two of the five bridges have load limits, with the remaining three heading that way if nothing is done. Says Krohn, “Closure is next, but we’re trying to stay in front of the curve and prevent them while also preventing load limits on the remaining three.” While they have low daily traffic counts, they are important for farmers in the area.

From the beginning, Krohn has recognized that the project plays an important role as one of the first local bundling projects. “We made it clear that we wanted to gather data throughout the pro-

Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff

cess that can be used not only in future bundling projects in Boone County, but around the state,” he says. This data gathering compares the cost of a single bridge versus costs when spread across multiple bridges. The results have already been impressive.

“The first bridge absorbs the bulk of the costs associated with surveying and design, so any remaining costs are site-specific to the changing field conditions at each bridge,” says Krohn. So far, the analysis has shown an impressive 48 percent savings for each of the additional bridges. The expectation is that savings will continue into the construction phase, with the ability to duplicate methods and reuse materials such as concrete forms.

The next challenge is finding funding for the construction phase. Boone County is already submitting applications for federal grants to construct the new bridges. Krohn remains optimistic, “We are hoping to be able to move to the construction phase by 2025 or 2026.”

With the data already showing big savings, Krohn wouldn’t hesitate to do more bridge bundles in the future. “We are always looking for ways to save on time and cost, and so far this is indicating savings in both of those areas. Once IDOT has a process in place for procedures and methods when bridge bundling, I anticipate we will see even more time savings.”

“It’s a great tool for the right projects in the right location,” he says. “It’s not a tool for every project, but for the right project it offers the kind of time and cost benefits that can get you ahead of inflation and any use restrictions on the bridges.”

With organizations like the Illinois Association of County Engineers and IDOT itself watching closely, Boone County is blazing the trail for local bridge bundling in Illinois. Coupled with the work IDOT and ISA are doing to move the bridge bundling concept forward, the future for Illinois bridges is looking bright.

Farm Radio Hits the Mark

With more than 50 years on-air, RFD Radio Network has been a companion for generations of farmers and ag professionals. As the largest ag network in Illinois, RFD Radio’s footprint reaches all farmers who plant the 21.6 million corn and soybean acres throughout the state. Working with radio stations to create a farmer-focused network has proven successful thanks to our dedicated, hardworking team at the RFD Radio Network where we produce more than three hours of original content every weekday and 65 minutes of fresh weekend programs for affiliates. The affiliate partners include 20 stations that carry 600-plus minutes of RFD Radio programming weekly.

With decades of broadcasting experience, farm broadcasters DeLoss Jahnke & Jim Taylor, join me in providing the information to keep farmers updated to make the day-to-day decisions required to stay competitive. Deeply ingrained in Illinois agriculture, the RFD Radio team knows the past three years have been challenging for Illinois farmers. Mitigating supply chain woes, managing costs, implementing new technologies, and beginning succession planning are a few of the issues RFD Radio is tracking.

In addition to our top caliber on-air team, as an Illinois Farm Bureau-owned news outlet, RFD Radio benefits from the content support of IFB staff who bring their agriculture subject matter expertise to radio programs. The breadth of talent contributing to RFD Radio extends to its online presence through the webpage, podcasts and social media. Furthermore, IFB leadership believes in radio as an essential way to reach members, keep farmers informed, and provide a comprehensive look at Illinois agriculture with balanced coverage.

Rural farm radio hits the mark on communicating with farmers

where they live and listen. Research continues to show that farmers listen to ag radio for their ag information. The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) worked with Aimpoint to produce 2022 research and the most recent data showed that 73 percent of farmers listen to farm radio five or more days a week. The RFD Network, like other NAFB networks and stations across the country has valued daily relationships with the farming community.

For Illinois, RFD Radio partners with over 100 radio stations across the state to serve farmers and the ag community. The reach and listenership of RFD Radio are proven through the Ag Media Research Farmer Radio Listening Study Report. The numbers show that RFD Radio Network reaches 64 percent of Illinois farmers every day. This is thanks to an effective, reliable delivery system that supplies consistent and professional programs that keep the ag audience connected.

The RFD Radio team stays in close contact with Illinois Soybean Association staff and directors and shares ISA messages with farmers across the state through timely radio broadcasts. ISA stories are part of RFD programs, including our long-form radio segments each month and the team enjoys covering ISA field days and meetings throughout the year.

RITA FRAZER | DIRECTOR OF NETWORK & AUDIO SERVICES | RFD RADIO NETWORK | ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU

While corporations love their jargon, farmers prefer to tell it like it is. So, when we say 96% of Illinois farms are still owned and operated by families, we’re not exaggerating. We’re also 100% committed to bringing you the most sustainably grown, healthiest food anywhere.

Scan or visit us at wearethe96.org