It was a privilege to host members the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China on a tour to highlight Illinois soybean production. Their visit kicked off at the ISA Lombard office on Monday August 1st. There, ISA staff Eileen Urish, Todd Main, David Headley, and David Kubik presented the role ISA has in the process of exporting soy products around the world. The delegation went on to visit ISA Chairman, Steve Pitstick’s farm in Elburn. Steve and his son, Dale, explained their daily farm operation and walked a nearby bean field. The day ended at CHS in Morris, Ill. where Renae Halverson, CHS Grain Originator, provided an in-depth river facility tour. The group got a firsthand demonstration of soybeans unloading from trucks into the bins and onto barges on the Illinois River headed south to the Gulf.

Wednesday, the tour continued to DeLong Joliet facility with the help of USSEC representative, Katie Reardon, and ISA team. That afternoon the group joined ISA staff in Bloomington for lunch before heading to Stan Born’s farm in Lovington, Ill.