Atlanta Farmer Uses his Voice for Soy S
Ron Kindred
ince 1999, Atlanta, Illinois farmer Ron Kindred has been advocating for legislation and policies on behalf of the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA). However, 2020 may always be the year that stands out. COVID-19 social distancing measures and sheltering in place have forced Kindred and other farmers to find new ways to connect, communicate and educate lawmakers.
written email that can be personalized and sent directly to each farmer’s lawmakers. When ISA issues an action request, those in the network receive a message from the group that it is time to take action and send the email. If a phone call action request is placed, phone numbers and issue details are distributed for farmers to call their respective legislators.
“I really enjoy being involved and being in the know when it comes to agriculture policy,” says Kindred, who serves as a director for the association and is chair of ISA’s Government Relations Committee. “I have witnessed how much of a difference it makes when we lobby. And given the events of 2020, it is vitally important, now more than ever, that we let our legislators know how policies and regulations impact farmers and our industry. It cannot be underestimated.”
Kindred anticipates Voice for Soy will be a critical tool in the coming year, too, given a new farm bill is on the horizon. By sharing ISA’s priorities with farmers and then with lawmakers, the information gets shared in committee meetings and gives farmers a leg up on farm policy.
One of the innovative ways Kindred and others have been able to effectively get their message out is through ISA’s Voice for Soy Action Center (www. voiceforsoy.org). The online resource allows participants to efficiently deliver a consistent message without personal contact. “Voice for Soy is a great way for farmers to contact elected officials. The site arms farmers with the most current information so they are equipped to take immediate action,” says Kindred. Voice for Soy provides a pathway for its participants to share the position of Illinois soybean farmers via a pre-
“It is critically important for legislators who shape the future of farm policy to hear directly from farmers about how programs like crop insurance affect them,” he says. “Some farmers used crop insurance for the first time in 2019 and in 2020. By sharing how beneficial the crop insurance renewal act was for them, farmers help protect the program for future generations.”
Washington in support of the federal biodiesel tax credit. After serving more than 20 years on the ISA board, Kindred now believes engaging with new and young members is key to ISA’s ongoing, successful outreach with elected officials. “We are transitioning to the next generation on our family farm, so I understand the dynamics of sharing my experiences. Young farmers are good at a lot of things I am not good at and I think I am good at some of the things they are not so good at,” he says. “If we share our knowledge as mentors, we will be a better organization and shape better policy for future generations.
“The experiences I have had have been extremely rewarding,” Kindred sums. “It is a humbling and tremendous opportunity to speak to national and international audiences on behalf of Illinois soybean farmers and to elevate Voice for Soy so we can expand its use. I hope people who knew me 20 years ago and still know me today have Biodiesel is another example. Biodiesel watched me grow as a person and as production and use are critical to a leader.” the Illinois economy, since biodiesel is made in Illinois from soybean oil. Kindred encourages all Illinois By supporting the industry, Kindred soybean supporters to sign up for Voice says farmers help create a strong for Soy. Using a smartphone, send a marketplace and strengthen the price text to 52886 with the word “SOY.” of soybeans. Voice for Soy has been A response will be sent immediately engaged in maintaining the state sales back with a link to complete a profile tax exemption for biodiesel blends of so the new user can begin advocating more than 11 percent and again in for soybeans.
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