A Part of the Family

Lisa Obrecht is the 2024 Iowa Soybean Association New Leader

By Jeff Hutton

There’s an understated calm about Lisa Obrecht.

Lisa Obrecht says being a leader within the soybean industry means having a passion for agriculture and having a robust understanding of policy and issues that could impact soybean producers.

“I want to be a changemaker within the industry,” she says. “It’s important to stay connected to the family farm and pass on information and guidance along to the next generation.”

For Obrecht, being a part of the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Grassroots Fellowship, Experience Class, serving as a voting delegate and working with other farmer members has been both humbling and rewarding.

“I continue to be excited about being a part of ISA, which allows members to learn and grow,” she says. “To be a new leader has been fantastic and it will serve as an influence in my life.”

Those who know Obrecht, a Story County farmer, know she rarely gets rattled; she’s deliberate in what she does and what she says. She takes in information and applies it to her work and life. You might say she has a Zen quality to the energy she exudes.

It’s this calm confidence and passionate involvement that led her to the stage during an ISA awards banquet last winter. Obrecht was chosen as the recipient of the 2024 Iowa Soybean Association New Leader award.

Sponsored by Corteva, this award is annually presented to an ISA member who has recently grown their involvement in the association’s program and shown outstanding leadership skills in their efforts.

Being engaged

“I’m inspired and excited,” says Obrecht after she learned that she had been named an award winner. “It was an incredible feeling to hear my name announced and to hold the New Leader award plaque.”

But those who work closely with Obrecht through ISA programming weren’t shocked to hear her name as a recipient.

“Lisa has been highly involved in ISA programs and events throughout the last year,” says ISA Producer Services Coordinator Kennady Henry, who nominated Obrecht for the award. “Lisa kickstarted her journey with ISA by joining the 2022-23 Policy Leaders Fellowship (now known as the Grassroots Fellowship). She was a great addition to the group and was always eager to learn more about the soybean industry and the policy world.”

Obrecht served as a voting delegate at the 2022 Winter Soy Summit. She then joined the Experience Class to gain a broader understanding of the state’s soybean industry.

“She has been a great farmer leader and helped recruit a new farmer in her area for the latest grassroots fellowship,” Henry says. “Lisa has been an amazing farmer leader, and we look forward to seeing her continue to grow within ISA.”

For Obrecht, being involved with ISA was an easy decision, and one that continues to be rewarding.

“I quickly realized that my efforts could make a difference,” she says. “I learned that people are at the heart of the Iowa Soybean Association. I feel like we all share a love of farming and soybeans, and most importantly, a passion to inspire others around us.”

Obrecht’s efforts were on display when the Grassroots Fellowship class traveled to Washington, D.C., where participants met with legislators and industry leaders.

She says the opportunity to share her farmer perspective with those who help craft farm policy has been important.

“Soybeans are our future,” she says. “We have to be engaged about what will impact our livelihood. If you want your voice to be heard, you have to dialogue with members of Congress, industry officials and others. We can bring attention to not only the issues that we’re concerned about, but also share in our success stories from the farm.”

It’s about family

Obrecht raises soybeans, corn and cattle with her father and her brother near Zearing.

It was her father, she says, who helped guide her along the path toward being a successful farmer.

“He would sometimes push me past my comfort zone, but he’s certainly been my biggest influence, and it’s made me a better person and a better farmer,” she says.

ISA has been and is a touchstone for Obrecht, reminding her what’s really important. Being a part of the ISA, its programming and leadership opportunities is like being part of an extended family, Obrecht says. Whether it’s research, concerns about markets and trade, Obrecht says ISA allows its members to relate to each other because they have the same vested interests.

“I wanted to be a part of ISA because they offer new perspectives on what’s going on, while at the same time making you feel like we’re one big family — a family where everyone has a voice.”

Contact Jeff Hutton at jhutton@iasoybeans.com