District 6 Director Election

District 6 Director Election

Meet the two candidates from District 6 who are running for the Iowa Soybean Association Board of Directors.

Brian Strasser, Homestead 

Brian Strasser and his wife Vicki are the fifth generation to live and farm the family farm. They grow soybean and corn in a no-till system and own a custom hog finishing facility. 

Strasser earned a degree in computer science from Indian Hills Community College. 

He has been involved in Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Ag Leaders Network, the Iowa-Missouri Policy Leaders Fellowship, and ISA Experience Class. He is  vice president of the Iowa County Farm Bureau and has been involved in his local church. He works for Advanced Agrilytics. 

Why are you interested in serving on the ISA board? 

In the next decade, soybean farmers need the strongest leadership we can provide. My basis in agronomy promotes the future of combining conservation agronomy, carbon programs, emerging markets, and  the fundamentals of farming for a profit. 

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

Education. Farmers need Information faster than ever from a source they can trust. We need to continue ISA programming and add efforts around farm succession planning and mentoring, benefiting young farmers with the knowledge of seasoned successful farmers. 

 

Matthew Willimack, DeWitt 

Matthew Willimack grows soybeans and corn with his family. 

He graduated with a bachelor’s in agricultural business from Iowa State University. 

Willimack serves on the field crops advisory committee for the Iowa Farm Bureau, and has served in various roles for the Clinton County Farm Bureau. 

Why are you interested in serving on the ISA board? 

I have a passion for serving and representing my peers in farming. With my off-farm career at the Cedar County Coop, I bring a slightly different perspective to various conversations. I seek the best solution for the greatest number of constituents when problem solving. 

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

Global competition. Brazil specifically has become the largest producer of soybeans across the globe and has seemingly an endless supply of acres to further expand their production. Domestically, there is consumer desire for a more favorable carbon footprint with regard to processing, refining, and usage of any sources of diesel. How this space is regulated, incentivized, and expanded will tell the story of how the soybean farmer must compete in this space.