FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLOOMINGTON, ILL – October 26, 2020 – The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) has expanded its internal team to assure the state’s 43,000 soybean farmers get timely and specific information about checkoff-funded efforts and membership programs. Under the new direction of ISA Director of Communications, Rachel Peabody, three new hires fill the communications roles of Content Manager, Communications Manager, and Communications Coordinator. Also joining the team is a new Executive Assistant who will serve as a front-facing representative for the organization, its board and staff.
“As the number one soybean production state in the nation, we take seriously the role ISA plays in wisely funding those projects that will provide a return on investment for Illinois farmers. Part of that effort requires we effectively share project results with farmers so they can implement new practices on their farms, sell more soybeans here and abroad, and work with the many diverse partners across the agriculture spectrum to get the job done,” says Peabody. “Our role as communicators is to share stories within our local ag community, with our legislators and decision makers, and with our partners from around the globe. Illinois soybean farmers are getting it right, and want the world to know it. It’s an honor for our team to tell those stories.”
Betsy Osman has accepted the position of Content Manager. Osman was Director of Marketing for Brinkoetter Realtors in Decatur, Illinois, responsible for all aspects of the company’s communications and messaging to the public. She also previously worked as university writer at Millikin University, and as a freelance journalist for many publications including ISA’s own magazine. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/writing from Millikin University.
Claire Weinzierl will serve as ISA Communications Manager. She comes from the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) where she was communications and outreach specialist. She previously was marketing communications coordinator for M&M Service Company and had a marketing communications internship at GROWMARK. Weinzierl holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in ag communications and journalism from Illinois State University, and an MBA from SIUE.
Jill Parrent fills the job of Communications Coordinator. An Illinois native and recent Iowa State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture and life sciences education-communications, Parrent most recently coordinated special events for a large-scale agritourism operation in Iowa. During college, she worked as a summer special events and projects intern for Illinois Farm Bureau and served as collegiate facilitator for the National 4-H with USDA/NIFA.
Melissa Kennedy will serve as Executive Assistant. She earned her Associate for Applied Science for Microcomputers degree from Heartland Community College. Having served the Illinois Farm Bureau for almost two decades, Kennedy brings a rich background of customer service, organization, and coordinating multiple programs.
All four professionals began their new positions during October.
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development and utilization efforts while the membership program supports the government relations interests of Illinois soybean farmers at the local, state, and national level, through the Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG). ISA upholds the interests of Illinois soybean producers through promotion, advocacy, and education with the vision of becoming a market leader in sustainable soybean production and profitability. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org.
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For more information, contact:
Rachel Peabody
Director of Communications
peabodyr@ilsoy.org
217-825-7654
