BLOOMINGTON, ILL – August 30, 2021 – The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is releasing a digital press kit, focused on a Virtual Trade Team Visit in conjunction with the U.S. Global Trade Exchange, which is designed to help media share stories with their readers, listeners, and viewers.
The United States Soybean Export Council and the Illinois Soybean Association hosted a live and interactive virtual visit to an active soybean farm in Illinois on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. This visit was designed for any interested soybean purchasers, crushers, importers or feed producers along with business and media who want to check in on the 2021 Illinois and U.S. soybean crop and talk with the farmers who are growing it. The Global Trade Exchange typically brings thousands of buyers to the U.S. to tour soybean farms and meet farmers from the over 30 soybean producing states; because of the current climate, travel wasn’t an option for many countries. The Illinois Soybean and United States Soybean Export Council met buyers where they were at – virtually.
The host farmer near Kankakee, IL is the sixth generation to farm. This growing season their farm is growing both non-GMO and conventional soybeans in addition to double cropping wheat. The farm uses cover crops, pollinator strips, and other conservation practices to benefit the land, water, and air. Guests saw firsthand what the 2021 crop looks like and heard the passion and dedication of Illinois farmers to growing a reliable and sustainable crop. This interactive visit was delivered in real-time, allowing the over 500 international buyers to directly ask Illinois farmer, Jeff O’Connor, about his farming practices, sustainability beliefs, and equipment.
Also within the digital press kit, media will find links to event video and stand-up interview package with note that raw footage is available upon request of interviews with Jeff O’Connor, and ISA representative, Andrew Larson. Jeff, Andrew, and Stan Born will be available for interviews during the Farm Progress Show and by request. Please contact Jill Parrent, parrentj@ilsoy.org to schedule an interview.
To view the digital press kit, visit: https://www.ilsoy.org/GTE2021
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development and utilization efforts while the membership program supports the government relations interests of Illinois soybean farmers at the local, state, and national level, through the Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG). ISA upholds the interests of Illinois soybean producers through promotion, advocacy, and education with the vision of becoming a market leader in sustainable soybean production and profitability. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org.
