Bloomington, Ill. – August 2, 2023 – The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) will kick off FY24 with an exciting lineup of checkoff-funded projects, each designed to ensure growth and profitability for Illinois soybean farmers.

Under the leadership of a newly elected Board of Directors, led by Chairman, Ron Kindred, ISA will drive efforts in the areas of government relations, market development, and soybean production to work towards a brighter future for the state’s 43,000 soybean farmers.

“With new leadership and projects in place for FY24, ISA will be entering a new chapter of innovation, education and relationship building,” says ISA CEO, John Lumpe. “Our volunteer farmer board is excited to elevate the opportunities on behalf of Illinois soybean farmers.”

The Government Relations Committee is being led by committee Chair, Steve Pitstick. In addition to continuing many of the current projects, the committee will have a few new ones. One such project being carried out by the Government Relations Committee is a partnership with the Motion Agency out of Chicago to develop a unique, educational campaign targeted at Illinois state legislators and will highlight the role farmers play as stewards of the environment.

The committee will also be working to engage in deeper outreach and relationship building across the state of Illinois. This will allow farmers to have more input and make a greater impact when it comes to issues and policies that affect their farms.

For the Market Development Committee, Brain Atteberry will be serving as committee Chair. The Market Development staff is postured to triple in size and will be using their additional manpower to expand their outreach and grow more opportunities for Illinois soybean farmers in new markets, both international and domestic. A central focus for the team will be the development of a new Soy Innovation Center, and closer collaboration with Soy Excellence Centers across the globe.

The Soybean Production Committee will be led by committee Chair, Brady Holst. The committee and the Agronomy staff will be advancing projects in the areas of outreach, research, partnerships, and agronomic trials. One of the new projects includes demonstration fields that will be on display at the Farm Progress Show and in other locations throughout the state. The committee and team are looking forward to expanding their farmer outreach and education.

The ISA Communications team will continue to communicate the work being done with these projects through multiple channels. This includes publication of the monthly Illinois Field and Bean magazine, the Illinois 20 Under 40 program, the “We Are the 96%” Illinois Farm Families campaign, and a robust corporate partners program.

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.

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