Bloomington, Ill. – August 24, 2023 – The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) hosted five Town Hall Breakfasts this month in West Frankfort, Effingham, Springfield, Bloomington and Maple Park, Illinois.
Farmers from the area were invited to participate in conversations about state and federal legislation, and the many ways ISA monitors and engages on issues that affect Illinois farmers and their operations.
“ISA staff used these regional opportunities to keep Illinois farmers informed and engaged about how the Illinois Soybean Association works on their behalf,” says Andrew Larson, ISA’s Director of Government Relations and Strategy. “ISA’s goal is to involve farmers from the entire state and gain their valuable feedback about how current issues are impacting their farms.”
Throughout Illinois, farmers were interested in topics ranging from the 2023 Farm Bill, the Endangered Species Act and the role it is playing in pesticide usage, biodiesel legislation, estate taxes, and sustainable aviation fuel.
“We did a lot of listening,” says Larson. “And what we learned is that farmers across the state are concerned about the perception of agriculture and the need to tell their story to decision-makers in Chicago, Springfield, and Washington D.C.”
Continues Larson, “Food and fuel impact every American, every day. However, few know how they are made and where they come from. Farmers are looking to organizations like ISA to be their champions and communicate with legislators about the importance of agriculture to Americans’ daily lives. ISA stands ready to represent Illinois farmers, and bring them information about key issues facing their farms.”
For more information about ISA’s legislative priorities, visit https://www.ilsoy.org/focus-areas/government-relations/
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and government relations efforts, while the membership program, Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) and the Illinois Soybean Growers PAC actively advocates for positive and impactful legislation for farmers at local, state and national levels. ISA upholds the interests of Illinois soybean farmers through promotion, advocacy, research and education with the vision of becoming a trusted partner of Illinois soybean farmers to ensure their profitability now and for future generations.
