Working Outside the Tractor Cab

Working Outside the Tractor Cab

By Kriss Nelson, knelson@iasoybeans.com

Farmers take their voices to the policy arena to shape the future of agriculture 

A single bill or regulation can change the way a farmer operates. Whether it’s tied to water quality standards, conservation compliance, trade agreements or biofuel policy, government decisions can affect everything from input costs to market access.

To help farmers better understand the government and legislative process, the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) developed the Grassroots Fellowship program.

"Farmers have powerful voices, and they can make a real difference when they choose to get involved," says Megan Decker, ISA’s manager of advocacy. "Grassroots Fellowship equips them with the tools to understand policy and the opportunities to build relationships with decision-makers. We want them not only to understand policy, but to help shape it."

Funded in part by non-checkoff resources, the yearlong program brings together young and emerging farmer leaders for in-depth policy training and first-hand experiences. Fellows attend ISA’s Farm Forward Conference, serve as voting delegates during the Winter Policy Conference, visit with state lawmakers at ISA’s Legislative Reception and cap their year with a trip to Washington, D.C., where they attend American Soybean Association (ASA) meetings and meet with Iowa’s congressional delegation.

The 2025-2026 program introduced a trip with the Soy Transportation Coalition to Virginia Beach; participants toured Norfolk-area ports to understand demand and how policy can impact the soybean supply chain.

For Dan Ory, of Earlham, the program fed his curiosity about how government and agriculture intersect. He found the conferences and gatherings informative and expressed that programs like the Grassroots Fellowship are vital to moving soybeans in a strong direction.

"The biggest surprise was how involved ISA is with policy and working toward new markets," Dan Ory says. "Policy has many steps and processes to get through, and while I’m still learning, I believe if our farmers do not speak up and take a seat at the table, we will end up being told what to do."

Former ISA board member and current ASA board director Morey Hill of Madrid emphasized the connection between decisions made in Washington, D.C., and how farmers operate in Iowa, noting the value of staying informed and sharing their voices.

"What happens in D.C. affects how we farm here in Iowa, so everyone needs to be aware of what’s going on," he says. "Working with ISA and participating in the policy process is a great way to stay informed and add your voice to the concerns."

Among the latest topics important to soybean farmers: the farm bill, tariffs and expanding exports for soybean farmers and the Make America Healthy Again commission’s focus on seed oils.

"All of these could impact what we grow here in the Grain Belt," Hill says.

Farmers on the Hill

The farmers considered the D.C. trip a highlight of the Grassroots Fellowship program.

Cole Olson, a farmer from Brooklyn in Poweshiek County, appreciated the opportunity to dive in and see how policy works.

"This program opens your eyes to the behind-the-scenes work that happens to promote the products we grow, both within the U.S. and internationally," says Olson.

A highlight of Washington, D.C., for Olson was meeting the Iowa delegation.

"Talking with them makes you feel like you are doing something for the greater good and making sure the Iowa farmer's story gets told correctly," he says.

For Spencer Collins of Adel in Dallas County, the experience was eye-opening.

"I learned the most in D.C. on how the process works and the amount of work that goes into lobbying," Collins says.

Part of that process means preparing for the visit by understanding the issues, having the facts available to share with the delegation and their staff members, and being prepared to have a conversation about the impact of those issues on farmers and the industry.

"These government officials are busy and meet with a lot of people each day," Collins says. "It's pivotal that each member is on top of their game. The Iowa Soybean Association staff did a great job of preparing us for those meetings."

Fellows met with Iowa's delegation, including Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley, and Reps. Randy Feenstra, Ashley Hinson and Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

In Grassley's office, some Grassroots Fellowship participants led parts of the discussion.

"He's easy to talk to and has a charm and wittiness that reminds me of my grandpa," Olson says. "I went into the meeting hoping just to get a point across that while the intent of the Make America Healthy Again movement is good, and we all want to be healthy, we need to remember to base this movement on actual science-based research rather than whatever is popular among mainstream media. He [Grassley] completely understood, as he is an Iowa farmer too."

Grassley's advice stuck with several participants. He reminded them he can't know what constituents want unless they tell him.

"That made it more personal to me and made it clear that policies can be shaped by individuals speaking up on those policies," says Olson.

Newly-elected ISA District 8 Director Summer Ory of Earlham called it "an honor" to represent farmers on the Hill.

"Talking to Sen. Grassley was an incredible opportunity. An entire lifetime of policy has happened under his Congressional service of 44 years," she says. "Our message to Sen. Grassley was to thank him for his work on the One Big Beautiful Bill and encourage bipartisan support on the farm bill 2.0. We also talked about protecting our export and domestic markets for soybean oil."

Farming beyond the field

Brock Grubbs of Ogden admitted policy isn't his strong suit, but he decided to step out of the tractor cab and dive into policy.

"Megan and her team do a great job taking tough subjects and making them understandable," Grubb says. "D.C. was great. Getting in front of our representatives and asking them to keep fighting for us was rewarding."

The experience allowed Grubbs to bring what he learned back home and share it with others, while encouraging more farmers to get involved.

"I'm able to come back and tell my peers, my family and my friends about legislation that promotes soybeans and agriculture, and that's exactly what we need. Anyone interested in this should get involved in the program. They do such a good job of letting you learn at your own pace and putting everything into perspective," says Grubbs.

Hill sees that as a critical outcome.

"I enjoy seeing the younger farmer members being involved, getting exposed to something I wasn't able to until later in my farming career," says Hill. "For the next generation of farmers to stay in business, they need to know what is going on within the regulatory world and the Grassroots Fellowship program is a great way for them to get that experience and see how they can be a voice for their neighbors and peers."

Decker encourages all farmers to step out of the tractor cab from time to time to participate in the process.

"Attend a town hall, join as an ISA Advocate Member, read up on ag policy and talk to your peers," she says. "Advocacy isn't just for times of crisis, it's about building relationships and trust so your voice is heard when it matters most."

Because if farmers don't have a seat at the table, as Olson puts it, "we're leaving it up to people who may have never seen a farm before to decide the direction of our future."

Advocating for farmers is an investment in the future of agriculture and the nation.

"America loses if the farmer does not have a seat at the policy table, plain and simple," Summer Ory says. "And representing members of the hardest-working community I know is time well spent moving ag in the right direction. Our future generation and our country deserve this to be a top priority."