On November 28, ISA hosted its second annual Impact Awards Banquet and Ceremony to recognize several deserving farmers, legislators, media, and friends of agriculture for their dedication to the soybean industry. At the event, ISA welcomed Jacqueline Applegate, President of Bayer Crop Science North America, as the keynote speaker and celebrated the recipients of the 2023 Achievement Awards, which included Bob Easter, Holly Spangler, the Clavin Family, Gary Schnitkey, and Representative Mike Bost. Additionally, ISA acknowledged the 2023 Illinois 20 Under 40 Farmers, recipients of the ILSoyAdvisor CCA Awards, retiring Board Directors, and commended ISA's outgoing Chairman, Steve Pitstick, for his exceptional service to the ISA Board and Illinois soybean farmers.

During a classic Thanksgiving meal, you'll find a spread that includes turkey, stuffing, ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, dishes like green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream, and much more. Although soy isn't the primary focus here, it does hold significance. Do you know where soy makes an appearance? Its presence extends beyond just the plant-based tofurkey protein or the occasional edamame starter.

Last week, the ISA Market Development team hosted German agriculture influencers, including both farmers and media experts. During their visit, the group toured the farms of ISA board members in Atlanta and Kankakee and engaged with ISA’s Soybean Production, Market Development, and Marketing Communications departments at the Bloomington office.

The B20 Club is a partnership between ISA and the American Lung Association which recognizes Illinois-based organizations whose fleets run on biodiesel blends of 20 percent or greater. Recently, the group welcomed new members ADM and Wilmette Park District, while the Village of Mundelein became an Affiliate Member with plans to transition into a full membership in the near future.

Nominations for the 2024 ILSoyAdvisor Awards close this Friday, October 27. The CCA Soybean Master Adviser Award recognizes the vital role of Illinois Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs) in improving soybean production, offering insights to enhance yield and profitability. The Dave Rahe Excellence in Soils Consulting Award honors an exceptional Illinois CCA for their expertise in soils consulting within the state's soybean production systems, named after former CCA Soy Envoy, Dave Rahe.

ISA’s “It’s Sustainably Soy” Certification Program recognizes organizations, companies and executives for switching to sustainable, soy-based solutions in their products. Stakeholders, constituents, and customers want to do business with organizations that align with their environmental values, and getting your product sustainably certified by ISA provides you with a resource you can list in your annual report and publish as part of your ongoing sustainability initiatives.