CEO’S MESSAGE

At the time of this writing, the November 2024 election is just days away and this issue is due to go to print. Tensions and uncertainty are running high as we wait to discover the general direction of our nation. During times like this, my personal philosophy has always been to remain focused, resolved and deliberate in my actions.

Although this year has been challenging because of the down ag economy, Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) has worked tirelessly to keep Illinois soy strong and competitive. We are fully committed to maintaining our position as a global leader through focused projects, strategic research and impactful outreach. We continue to deliberately align our actions with available resources to right-size our work and continue to build resiliency for Illinois farmers.

Even though our Board approved 127 projects for FY25, we are further fine-tuning our work together. As is always our practice, we are evaluating where we can reduce spending and increase revenue and effectiveness. This approach reflects a commitment to “tightening our belts” and doing more with less. Our Finance Committee and Accounting Team are closely monitoring every move, working to uphold fiscal responsibility.

Our committed volunteer Board of Directors is driving these decisions, strategically considering the best use of our resources. Each member of the ISA Board knows the realities of today’s economy firsthand. They face the same challenges on their own farms. As we carefully follow their direction forward, I think it’s also important to reflect on our wins over the past year.

Checkoff by Numbers

In FY24, ISA’s farmer leaders funded 141 projects aimed at helping all our farmer-investors succeed—including research, market expansion activities and sustainability efforts. ISA’s global reach expanded in 2024, as we engaged with 22 teams of international soybean buyers both here and abroad. We built relationships that are key to developing markets and driving demand for Illinois soy. This is a continuous process ensuring that we are always evaluating opportunities to strategically market Illinois soybeans to customers around the world.

In tandem with our global market development efforts, sustainability has become an essential part of our strategy. This year, 15 companies and 61 products were certified under the ISA “It’s Sustainably Soy” program. This effort showcases our farmers’ dedication to environmentally friendly practices, which allows end users to source sustainably grown Illinois soybeans and promote their products as certified sustainable.

Endless Innovation

At the Soy Innovation Center, we’re constantly exploring new uses for soy. From renewable energy applications to bioplastics, the potential for innovation is endless. This work ensures new markets and value opportunities, allowing Illinois soy farmers to remain at the forefront as suppliers for an exhaustive list of renewable products.

Innovation also took root in the area of production research. In 2024, we supported 16 projects focused on improving quality and yields while addressing the challenges faced by Illinois farmers.

Advocacy and Engagement

Keeping farmers informed about all this work is also part of our mission, and our direct engagement with farmers continued to grow. The 2024 Soybean Summit saw 283 in-person attendees, while we hosted six Field Days across the state, giving us the chance to connect face-to-face with farmers. Our Field Advisor platform, staffed by Certified Crop Advisers, Ph.D.s, Illinois farmers and seasoned communicators published over 200 blog posts this year and provided valuable on-the-go insights on topics including soil health and fertility management, cropping systems and weed management.

Our Government Relations Team advocated for farmers at the state and national levels. Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) hosted 20 legislative visits and engaged with dozens of growers through Town Hall meetings, ensuring they were poised and prepared to help policymakers understand the issues affecting Illinois soybean production. This year, we saw a 50 percent increase in membership for ISG, better posturing us to shape agricultural policy by growing our advocacy voice.

The Road Ahead

We know that navigating these tough times requires innovative solutions and a forward-thinking approach, and we are committed to providing the tools and resources needed to help farmers succeed. As we look toward 2025, let’s remain intentional in the face of challenge. The road ahead might be demanding, but through unity and intentional stewardship, we will move forward. Although the challenges are real, so are the opportunities.

Our outlook for 2025 is built on determination but grounded in reality. We’re going to be sharing that philosophy during the winter events on our schedule, beginning with the Field Advisor Forum on Jan. 16 followed by the ISG Member Dinner and Soybean Summit on Feb. 10-11. For details and registration, visit ilsoy.org.

From all of us at ISA, we wish you a peaceful holiday season. Here’s to stepping into the New Year with resolve and purpose.