Your Voice is Our Mission
By John Lumpe, ISA CEO

At the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), everything we do begins with you—Illinois soybean farmers. Your needs and challenges are what drive our mission. Whether it’s offering agronomic strategies, running programs and workshops, or keeping you informed about timely issues through the Field & Bean magazine, our goal is to provide the tools and support that make a difference for you, your farm and your family. 

One of the most important ways we stay connected with you is through our producer sentiment study. This study is a critical resource that guides our program development and provides insight and guidance for the ISA Board of Directors. 

This year, you told us that global markets and soybean genetics are the most significant factors shaping the future of farming in Illinois. With rising costs and economic uncertainty, 87 percent of you identified commodity markets and input costs as your top priorities. You also shared that 67 percent of you consider yourselves innovators or early adopters of farming technology, which reinforces the importance of us staying ahead with cutting-edge programs. These insights directly shape the work we do. Your feedback helps us create relevant and timely programs and initiatives, such as those that address rising input costs and focus on sustainability. Our ongoing investment in agronomic research is driven by your need for practical solutions. 

Over the 2024 growing season, our in-house Agronomy Team hosted several field day events across the state in an effort to address regional challenges and opportunities. The team also encouraged growers to implement innovative practices that boost yield. We’ve also funded onfarm trials to test new production methods, providing real-world data on strategies such as cover crops, nutrient management and pest control. In addition, we’re focusing on disease management by partnering with researchers to identify emerging threats and share best practices, ensuring that you have the resources to protect your crops. I encourage you to visit FieldAdvisor.org to sign up for the weekly e-newsletter and stay updated on the latest agronomic news and events. 

Sustainability is another key area of focus. As part of the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP), we’re helping farmers put research into action. One of the most valuable tools introduced by ISAP is the Financial Incentives Database (FIND) Tool, which connects you with more than 60 programs that offer support for adopting conservation practices. You can filter these programs by location, production type and conservation method, making it easier to implement sustainable practices while keeping your bottom line intact. 

Additionally, our focus on cover crops and nutrient loss strategies helps reduce runoff, promote soil health and increase profitability. These programs are designed to bring real benefits to your operation, from the soil to the market. 

Growing markets for soy-based materials such as biodiesel, sustainable aviation fuel and bioplastics is crucial for the future of Illinois soybeans. Our programming around trade and infrastructure improvements is also helping to keep our soybeans competitive and open up new trade opportunities, ensuring that Illinois soybeans are in high demand both at home and abroad. 

At ISA, we don’t just listen to your input—we act on it. Your voice shapes everything we do. We’re committed to delivering the research-driven solutions that matter most to your farm today and into the future.