Expect the Unexpected

Expect the Unexpected

CLAIRE WEINZIERL | EDITOR | ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION

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.