Iowa Soybean Farmers Elect New Leadership to Bolster Demand, Expand Opportunities BY BROCK JOHNSTON
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armer-leaders of the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) elected Suzanne Shirbroun of Farmersburg as president during its September board meeting held in Ames. The association’s 22 volunteer farmer directors represent the state’s nine crop reporting districts in overseeing the management and allocation of soybean checkoff and non-checkoff resources. Shirbroun was first elected as a District 3 director in 2016. She and her husband Joe manage a sixth-generation diversified row crop and seed business in Clayton County. They have been long-time participants in ISA production research activities and advocates for the soybean checkoff and agriculture. “It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to represent Iowa’s soybean farmers in this capacity,” says Shirbroun, who most recently served as ISA president-elect. “From market development to international trade, increased demand for high-quality soy is driving farmer optimism heading into the new year. As stewards of soybean checkoff dollars, the ISA board will continue advancing issues directly benefiting Iowa soybean farmers.” Four farmer-leaders were also appointed to serve on the
association’s Executive Committee, including: Brent Swart, President-Elect, Spencer Jeff Frank, Treasurer, Lake View Tom Adam, Secretary, Harper Brent Renner, At-Large, Klemme Directors are elected by Iowa soybean farmers in July and take office in September. Members vote for two farmers from their crop reporting district and vote for four at-large directors. Newly elected farmers who will serve three-year terms on the board were: Paul Kassel, Spencer (District 1); Sam Showalter, Hampton (District 2); Corey Goodhue, Carlisle (District 5); Aimee Bissell, Bedford (At-Large); and Sharon Chism, Huxley (At-Large). ISA directors also re-elected Steph Essick of Dickens (Clay County); Morey Hill of Madrid (Boone County); and Dave Walton of Wilton (Muscatine County); as directors on the American Soybean Association (ASA) board. Immediate past president Randy Miller of Lacona (Warren County) and Tom Adam (Keokuk County) will join the ASA board for first terms beginning in December.
The 2023-2024 Iowa Soybean Association executive directors: (left to right) Jeff Frank (Lake View), treasurer; Brent Swart (Spencer), president-elect; Suzanne Shirbroun (Farmersburg), ISA president; Brent Renner (Klemme), at-large; and Tom Adam (Harper), secretary.
8 | OCTOBER 2023 | IASOYBEANS.COM
