District 3 Director Election

District 3 Director Election

Meet the two candidates from District 3 who are running for the Iowa Soybean Association Board of Directors.

Scott Frye, Independence 

Scott Frye grows soybeans and corn, raises pigs and operates a cow-calf operation. 

He earned degrees in swine management from  Kirkwood Community College and ag studies from  Iowa State University. 

Frye serves on the Independence Agriculture Education Board, the Youth Advisory Council, and is active on various Buchanan County boards and committees. 

Why are you interested in serving on the ISA board? 

I would like to directly impact the ag community by personally advocating for them.  I want to help ensure our checkoff funds and resources are used effectively, and with producers’ best interests in mind. I would also like to help grow sales and income for soybean producers in Iowa. 

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

Market share and supply chain challenges in relation to South America. As South America continues to increase their supply, we need to find more ways to use soybeans within the U.S. and increase our exports. ISA has the ability, through research and development, to help increase market share domestically and raise awareness and promote education to consumers and producers. 

 

Amanda Tupper, Ionia 

Amanda Tupper and her family grow soybeans, corn, cattle and hogs in Chickasaw County.  

She earned her bachelor’s and master’s in agricultural economics from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

Tupper graduated from the American Soybean Association Young Leaders Program, and is involved in her local church, FFA Alumni, pork and cattlemen associations.  

Why are you interested in serving on the ISA board? 

The agriculture industry needs a new generation of leaders willing to step forward and lead organizations. My vision of serving on the board involves maintaining a transparent, grassroots approach by involving local producers in the decisions affecting the industry. 

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

Demand. As producers, we continually strive for operational efficiency. However, the absence of somewhere to market our soybeans wipes out any gains. Low demand translates to depressed prices, raising profitability concerns for producers. Focusing on Iowa (and U.S.) soybeans’ comparative and competitive advantage in world markets would begin to address this issue, but solutions need to go beyond. Exploring new domestic and international markets is crucial to the success of our industry.