District 1 Director Election

District 1 Director Election

Meet the two candidates from District 1 who are running for the Iowa Soybean Association Board of Directors.

Neil Krummen, Linn Grove

Neil Krummen grows soybeans, corn, alfalfa and small grains. He also raises sheep and goats, and manages a pig finishing site. 

He earned a bachelor’s in ag business from Iowa State University. 

He was involved in the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Iowa-Missouri Policy Leaders Fellowship and served as a voting delegate. He’s been involved in Iowa Corn Growers Association’s I-LEAD, and serves on his church board and local 4-H sheep committee. 

Why are you interested in serving on the ISA board? 

ISA is a great organization that works hard to help soybean farmers be more profitable, while also supporting programs to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality. I would like to help expand their support and discover new emerging markets to ensure farmers have the tools they need to succeed. 

What’s the biggest issue facing Iowa soybean farmers right now and how can the board address it? 

Soybean farmers need better prices for their soybeans. There needs to be increased demand for better prices, and/or access to value added programs. The board can address this by investing in programs and businesses that reward farmers that produce soybeans sustainably. 

 

Brent Swart, Spencer (Incumbent)

Brent Swart and his brother Steve raise soybeans, corn, and cover crops while implementing conservation management systems with strip-till and no-till across all acres.  

He earned his bachelor’s in agronomy and master’s in crop production and physiology from Iowa State University. 

He currently serves as Iowa Soybean Association’s district 1 director, and serves on the the Midwest Soybean Collaborative, Iowa State Research Center Industry Advisory Council, Community State Bank and Spencer Regional Healthcare Foundation.  

Why are you interested in serving on the ISA board? 

I want to make sure that farmer profitability, production, and sustainability remain a priority as we invest  farmer dollars. 

What’s the biggest issue facing Iowa soybean farmers right now and how can the board address it? 

Profitability. ISA can continue to be a strong advocate for increasing trade and markets for our soybeans domestically and abroad. Maintaining and increasing relationships with trade partners and being a voice for farmers as our current administration sets policies and constructs a new farm bill will be important. ISA also needs to maintain its leadership in research that will continue to help farmers increase yields and profitability.