BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – June 6, 2024 – For 60 years, the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) has worked, in tandem with farmers and industry, to help Illinois’ soybean farmers grow better soybeans and find new markets for their product. In honor of the milestone, the association is celebrating 60 Seasons of Success with special events and commemorations throughout the year.

“For 60 years, ISA has brought farmers, businesses and agriculture professionals together, making our farmers and organization better by association,” said Ron Kindred, ISA Board Chairman. “As we celebrate our 60th anniversary this year, we’re continuing to build on that idea.”

Funded by farmers who grow soybeans right here in Illinois, ISA supports soybean farmers by investing in promotion, advocacy, research and education to create profit opportunities and drive preference for Illinois soybeans.

Sixty seasons of success for Illinois soybean farmers includes milestones like:

• Illinois was the first state to enact a statewide biodiesel mandate.
• Illinois planted more than 10 million acres of soybeans in 1997 and has had more years of 10 million acres or more of soybeans planted than any other state.
• Illinois is home to McLean County, the top soybean-producing county in the nation.
• Illinois has topped the nation in soybean production nine of the past years.
• Funding multi-year research projects to monitor trends and identify solutions to on-farm challenges relating to conservation, agronomy and pest management.
• Illinois is the largest soybean container exporter in the U.S., giving Illinois farmers a strengthened basis and price premium for commodity, identity preserve and non-GM soybeans.

ISA will continue to promote progress in their focus areas with special recognition of the 60th anniversary during ISA events throughout the year, including the Illinois State Fair and Impact Awards, as well as a video docuseries, anniversary merchandise and a commemorative issue of Illinois Field & Bean.

“We know our farmers and our partners are the reason we’re effective and influential here at home and on the national stage,” Kindred said. “As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we’re using it as an opportunity to look to the future, imagining a more sustainable, more profitable, more progressive legacy for Illinois farmers.”

To learn more about ISA’s 60th Anniversary, visit ilsoy.org/60-seasons.

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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. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org and www.ilsoygrowers.com.