Meet our 2024 Winners

This year’s class of 20 Under 40 Winners include farmers who grow everything from corn and soybeans to pumpkins and shrubs and raise dairy cows, cattle and even horses! They’re innovative and inspiring—both in our industry and their communities. And as we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we’re excited to see what’s to come with these young farmers leading the way.

Cody Book
HARVARD, IL
BEEF CATTLE, CORN, SOYBEANS, WHEAT, RYE, HAY

Bryce Brockelsby
EDINBURG, IL
CORN, SOYBEANS

Dakota Cowger
PEOTONE, IL
SOYBEANS, CORN, OATS, ALFALFA, DAIRY CATTLE

Heather Dollinger
MAZON, IL 
CORN, SOYBEANS, PUMPKINS

Rhett Ellis
MT. VERNON, IL
GRAINS

Shay Foulk
SPARLAND, IL
SOYBEANS, CORN, WHEAT, OATS, COVER CROPS

Clint Gorden
BLUE MOUND, IL
CORN, SOYBEANS, WHEAT

Jonathan Griffel
GILLESPIE, IL 
CORN, SOYBEANS, WHEAT, BEEF CATTLE

Drew Groezinger
STOCKTON, IL
CUT FLOWERS, SHRUBS

Alex Head
DECATUR, IL
CORN, SOYBEANS, WHEAT, RYE, HAY, 500 COW-CALF PAIRS

Lena Head
DECATUR, IL
CORN, SOYBEANS, WHEAT, RYE, HAY, 500 COW-CALF PAIRS

Kaylee Heap
MINOOKA, IL
PUMPKINS, GOURDS, SQUASH, MUMS, CUT FLOWERS, CORN, SOYBEANS

Mathew Heberling
OWANECO, IL  
CORN, SOYBEANS, HAY, CATTLE

Daniel Herriott
SIDNEY, IL
CORN, SOYBEANS

John Howell
RED BUD, IL  
CORN, WHEAT, SOYBEANS, ALFALFA, BEEF CATTLE

Corey Johnson
PEOTONE, IL
CORN, SOYBEANS, OATS, CEREAL RYE, ALFALFA

Blake Lanphier
LAKE VILLA, IL 
HAY, CORN, PRODUCE, DAIRY CATTLE, POULTRY, SWINE, SHEEP

Wyatt McGrew
PRAIRIE CITY, IL 
CORN, SOYBEANS, OATS, HAY, BELGIAN DRAFT HORSES

Jenna Severs
ARMSTRONG, IL 
CORN, SOYBEANS, CATTLE

Benjamin K. Wurmnest
STRAWN, IL
CORN, SOYBEANS, COVER CROPS

Leading the next 60 years.

For 60 years, the Illinois Soybean Association has looked beyond the rows to help farmers grow more opportunities from every acre. Recognizing and celebrating the young talent with the 20 Under 40 Awards is just one of the many programs. 

See how we’re invested in making us all Better by Association.