Executive Insights

Collaboration Builds Support for Farmers

Kirk Leeds, ISA Chief Executive Officer kleeds@iasoybeans.com

One of the advantages and rewards of serving as CEO of the Iowa Soybean Association for 30-plus years is being able to help launch and grow many initiatives and programs.

Over three decades, staff and farmer directors have been at the forefront of many challenges and issues, fighting on behalf of Iowa’s soybean farmers and all of Iowa agriculture. Examples include the initial work on biodiesel (called soy diesel in those early years) and improving multi-state collaboration in soybean production research with creation of the North Central Soybean Research Program and U.S. Soybean Research Collaborative.

The Soyfoods Council has expanded the human utilization of soy while the Iowa Food & Family Project engages with more than 160,000 consumers monthly to boost their trust and understanding of modern agriculture. The Soy Transportation Coalition is another success story as it works to update and expand transportation infrastructure (see stories in this issue).

ISA plays a leading role in helping farmers understand and adopt new conservation and agronomic practices and products through the work of our internal Research Center for Farming Innovation and through collaborative efforts such as the Iowa Ag Water Alliance and Agriculture’s Clean Water Alliance. I’m proud that ISA has the first and only certified water lab housed within a commodity organization.

The Iowa Soybean Research Center at Iowa State University brings together scientists who work to make soybean production more efficient and sustainable. The ISA board recently approved the creation of AgOutcomes and the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund to give farmers in Iowa and across the country the opportunity to participate in the everchanging carbon market space.

In 2004, the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) was launched by ISA, Iowa Farm Bureau and many of the other Iowa commodity groups. During the Iowa State Fair this summer, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig joined senior leaders in Iowa agriculture to celebrate CSIF’s 20 years of helping Iowa farmers expand their livestock and poultry farms.

As I shared during my brief remarks at the event, the creation of CSIF was one of the most impactful things I’ve been part of during my career at ISA. CSIF has played a critical role in coming alongside more than 5,300 farmers wanting to start or grow their livestock or poultry farms.

Particularly in the early days, farmers who were often wanting to expand their livestock farm to make it possible to bring a son or daughter back into the operation were facing significant opposition including organized protesters from groups opposing animal agriculture. CSIF provided information on the various rules and regulations, and guidance on enhancing neighbor relations.

Although we still see some localized opposition, it is not as intense or widespread as in the early 2000s. CSIF deserves tremendous credit for its success ensuring that Iowa remains a leading producer of pork, eggs, turkey, dairy and beef. For soybeans, strong animal production has enabled Iowa to remain a leading producer and the nation’s leading soybean crusher. Strong meat production leads to strong demand for soybeans. Learn more about CSIF by visiting its website at supportfarmers.com.