3 minute read
When Trust is the Priority, Shared Vision is the Result
Earning trust from the 43,000 soybean farmers of Illinois isn’t just important at the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), it’s our top priority! Our farmer checkoff investors rely on our 24-member volunteer board to implement a wide range of agronomic research projects, market development initiatives, and innovative communications tactics, as well as educate our government partners. And our farmer members count on the Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) to actively advocate for positive and impactful legislation for farmers at state and national levels.
When ISG members voluntarily decide to pay membership dues, it draws a direct connection to trust. But in the case of checkoff investors, building relationships is not as easy due to the nature of the soybean checkoff program. We admittedly have to work harder to earn that badge from soybean checkoff investors.
Reliance, driven by transparency, permeates everything we do — from ISA staff to board, from board to farmer, and from farmer to consumer. Building confidence is a natural, strategic component of our culture, which allows us to conduct business on behalf of Illinois soybean farmers effectively and efficiently. An open, inviting approach transforms our work from business to personal.
As an organization, we continue to prioritize trust building as a fundamental element as we work to create dividends that return to our farmers, the first link of the soybean value system. This involves operating with transparency, communication, and accountability at all levels. It starts with staff earning the confidence of our board leaders about their progress on projects, as well as the status of funds and any issues that may arise. Likewise, the board communicates openly with the ISA staff, clearly conveying goals and expectations, and providing feedback.
The ISA Board is dedicated to being faithful stewards for the Illinois soybean farmer members they represent as well as other soy stakeholders. Farmers are right to expect insight into how board members are guiding ISA's strategy and investments of checkoff dollars. Open reports build trust between our farmer investors and the board dedicated to serving their interests.
Internally, good faith among ISA staff and across teams and departments is equally crucial. When our team members are open and collaborative about their work and ideas, it breaks down silos. Trust enables staff to align efforts, avoid duplication, gain insights from each other, and overall work better as one cohesive unit. An environment fueled by free-flowing information allows operations to run more smoothly and productivity to skyrocket.
Earning trust from our farmers also spills over into our work with other commodity groups, collaborators, and agribusinesses. It’s about bringing the expertise forward from our talented bench of professionals, ultimately to benefit the farmer, but also to serve the consumers of Illinois soy. Sharing information with other groups and collaborators breeds insights to better ideas and outcomes than any one group could achieve alone.
The soybean industry is complex, with many moving parts and diverse stakeholders. When staff, board, and farmers can trust each other, goals align, and we become united in the pursuit of our shared mission:
To uphold the interests of Illinois soybean producers through promotion, advocacy, research, and education.
