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Executive Committee
President
Brent Swart, Spencer | D1
President-elect
Tom Adam, Harper | D9
Secretary
Sam Showalter, Hampton | D2
Treasurer
Lee Brooke, Clarinda | D7
At-Large Director
Scot Bailey, Anita | D7 Board of Directors
Paul Kassel, Spencer | D1
Brent Renner, Klemme | D2
Mike Yegge, Lake Mills | D2
Rick Juchems, Plainfield | D3
Amanda Tupper, Ionia | D3
Marty Danzer, Carroll | D4
Jeff Frank, Lake View | D4
Corey Goodhue, Carlisle | D5
Dave Struthers, Collins | D5
Matt Willimack, DeWitt | D6
Dave Walton, Wilton | D6
Warren Bachman, Osceola | D8
Randy Miller, Lacona | D8
Jeff Ellis, Donnellson | D9
Jack Boyer, Reinbeck | At-Large
Aimee Bissell, Bedford | At-Large
Sharon Chism, Huxley | At-Large
American Soybean Association Board of Directors
Tom Adam, Harper
Steph Essick, Dickens
Morey Hill, Madrid
Randy Miller, Lacona
Pat Swanson, Ottumwa
Dave Walton, Wilton
United Soybean Board of Directors
Tim Bardole, Rippey
Robb Ewoldt, Davenport
Brent Renner, Klemme
Suzanne Shirbroun, Farmersburg
Staff Credits
Bethany Baratta | Editor
Aaron Putze, APR | CO Brand Mgmt and Engagement
Susan Langman | Creative Design Coordinator
Joclyn Bushman | Multimedia Specialist
Jeff Hutton | Senior Writer
Kriss Nelson | Staff Writer
Joseph Hopper | Communications Specialist
Brock Johnston | Public Relations Manager
FARMER FOCUSED | DRIVEN TO DELIVER
ISA VISION
We advance the long-term competitiveness of Iowa soybean farmers.
ISA MISSION
Driven to deliver opportunities for Iowa soybean farmers to thrive.
Iowa Soybean Review is published monthly by: Iowa Soybean Association
1255 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny, Iowa 50023 (515) 251-8640 | iasoybeans.com
E-mail: bbaratta@iasoybeans.com
For advertising information contact Bethany Baratta at (515) 334-1020 or bbaratta@iasoybeans.com
January 2025 | Vol. 38, No. 4
8
Managing Risk in 2025
As margins tighten, experts weigh in on what to cut and keep in 2025.
10
The Legacy Continues
Grandfather-grandson duo Rolland and Riley Schnell share the love of farming.
22 Agriculture’s Rising Star
Meet the ISA award winner focused on bridging consumers and farmers.
27
Farm Forward
ISA event to highlight shifting market dynamics.
On the Cover:
Rolland and Riley Schnell talk farming and legacy. Rolland’s retirement created an opportunity for his grandson, Riley, to fully transition into the family farm.
In this issue, read more about how the next generation is getting their start in agriculture.
Comments and statewide news articles should be sent to the above address. Advertising space reservations must be made two months preceding publication. In consideration of the acceptance of the advertisement, the agency and the advertiser must, in respect of the contents of the advertisement, indemnify and save the publisher harmless against any expense arising from claims or actions against the publisher because of the publication of the content of the advertisement.
Aaron Putze, APR ISA Chief Officer of Brand Management & Engagement aputze@iasoybeans.com
Accountability Matters
Accountability is essential for every business, organization and institution. Unfortunately, it’s waning. This is leading to a crisis of trust throughout society, from media and politics to business, education and associations. The mantra of “The buck stops here” is going the way of the rotary phone, card catalog and DVD. Everyone pays when there’s an absence of trust.
The Iowa Soybean Association prides itself in being accountable to the farmers we serve. I’ve experienced it firsthand since joining Team ISA in 2010. It starts at the top with our 22 farmer directors and CEO and is woven throughout the organization. Budgets and activities are approved by directors. Resources are used judiciously and leveraged to obtain additional public and private support. Expenses are documented and scrutinized. This high level of accountability and trust makes ISA’s operations highly efficient, innovative and effective.
But we must do better, especially as it relates to the collection and administration of the soybean checkoff. Created by farmers in 1991, the checkoff equals one-half percent of the net market value of a bushel of soybeans. Checkoff collections in Iowa are halved between ISA and the United Soybean Board (USB). Total annual collections vary greatly (between $30-40 million) given the checkoff is directly tethered to market prices.
Checkoff support among farmers is strong. Every five years, farmer participation in a referendum on the soybean checkoff falls far, far short of the number needed for a national vote to be held on its continuation. And in ISA’s most recent attitudinal survey of soybean farmers, nearly 3 of 4 respondents expressed satisfaction with the checkoff’s purpose and performance.
These results are encouraging but don’t tell the whole story. Confidence in the soybean checkoff as measured in ISA’s survey is down 10 points from just four years ago.
Increasingly, farmers express concerns that ISA is too influenced by industry, not working in the interest of small farmers and lacks transparency about checkoff expenditures. A growing number of farmers also admit to not knowing enough about the checkoff or ISA to even render an opinion. With the start of a new year, ISA rededicates itself to being more transparent about the checkoff and how it’s used. ISA will:
• Begin publishing an annual summary of Iowa checkoff collections and how they are allocated.
• Frequently connect the dots between checkoff collections and how they are leveraged to benefit farmers. For example, a $200,000 investment of checkoff resources last year by ISA, USB and other state soybean boards generated $26 million in federal funding to expand rail service at a grain export terminal at the Port of Kalama (Washington). The project will enhance the movement of grains and oilseed by up to 30% during key export months, directly benefiting soybean farmers.
• Encourage greater dialogue with soybean farmers in more places so they can ask questions and get answers pertaining to the checkoff.
• Engage first purchasers more directly about the checkoff and provide resources they in turn can share with farmers.
Accountability matters. The start of a new year is a great time for ISA to step up its efforts. Tell me if I’m on the right track or share additional ways we can tell the checkoff story more effectively and earn your trust as a soybean farmer by e-mailing me at aputze@iasoybeans.com.
Thriving, competitive farms run on the hard work of Iowa farmers.
Their #1 tool against weeds? Glyphosate.
For half a century, glyphosate has helped protect Iowa corn, soybeans, and alfalfa from one of farmers’ biggest adversaries: Weeds. But now, a lack of legislative certainty around pesticide labeling requirements is threatening farmers’ access to this crucial tool.
Financial Incentive
To help cover the start-up costs of cover crops, Farmers for Soil Health o ers financial assistance of up to $50/acre over a three-year period.
Exclusive Marketplace
Enrollment in Farmers for Soil Health provides access to an exclusive future marketplace connecting farmers to top-tier supply chain partners that are focused on sustainability.
Technical Advisor
Each state has dedicated on-theground technical advisors to provide research-based information and educational resources to aid in the transition of your field.
Rural Route 2
Editor’s Note by Bethany Baratta bbaratta@iasoybeans.com
A Future to Believe in
“
I believe in the future of agriculture…”
That’s the first line to the National FFA Organization’s creed. It’s a line I learned when I was 12.
I experienced FFA first as a spectator. My brother, who served as a chapter officer, took the stage to present his retiring address and conclude his year of service as the chapter’s sentinel. “Busy Man,” a song made popular by Billy Ray Cyrus, was his entrance song. I recall being in awe of my brother, six years older than me, being brave and speaking on stage. Who was this guy who was largely quiet at home speaking in front of a crowded high school auditorium?
I won’t ever forget the feeling of zipping up my very own FFA jacket years later. National blue corduroy, the jacket was stiff just coming out of the package. My name stitched in corn gold, I was the fifth (and last) child in my family to have a jacket of their own. Donning my own FFA jacket, I felt like a superhero, ready to take on the world.
Soon, early morning contest preparation became a part of my high school routine. Robert’s Rules of Order became a study guide as I participated in the conduct of chapter meetings and parliamentary procedure contests, among others. It was especially memorable combining my agricultural and instrumental interests. I bounced between the high school gym and the ag classroom during basketball games, making progress on supervised agriculture experience records between pep band performances. Playing
a trumpet solo in the National FFA Band in front of 47,000 others in Louisville, Ky, was an unforgettable experience.
In this issue, you’ll meet generations of agriculturalists who, in their own ways, work to improve the future of our industry. They serve as a reminder of the words E.M. Tiffany wrote, which the National FFA Organization adopted as its official creed 95 years ago.
“I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds — achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.”
There’s no doubt that the present and future generations of agriculturalists will face their own challenges. If farming were easy, everyone would do it. But I believe in the future of agriculture and those determined to participate.
Farmers I’ve met and those featured in this issue understand that there are 12-year-olds, as I once was, watching from their windows or their auditorium seats as spectators, hearing the words of the FFA creed for the first time.
It is because of these farmers — and so many of you, that I believe in the future of agriculture, even as my own FFA jacket hangs in the closet.
All the best to you in 2025,
Experts weigh in on the opportunities ahead. | STORY BY BETHANY BARATTA
It’s no secret that farmers face several headwinds heading into the new year. Higher grain supplies, a sticky inflationary environment, a stronger U.S. dollar and continued higher interest rates are all putting pressure on returns, all while making U.S. products more expensive to trading partners.
“The 2025 environment will be the continuation of a high cost-low or negative margin environment,” says Jim Knuth, senior vice president of lending for Farm Credit Services of America. “This is the highest risk scenario for producers.”
A strong focus on your working capital should be a top priority in 2025, Knuth says.
“Farmers are investing a lot of dollars per acre with uncertain returns. This means a strong focus on your working capital and short-term risk bearing ability, risk management decisions, operational costs and break-evens and making proactive adjustments become more important than ever,” he says.
Crop insurance coverage
As budgets tighten, farmers look at ways to cut costs. Knuth advises against trimming crop insurance coverage.
“We have better crop insurance products today than we had 10 years ago going through the ethanol boom. We have the ability with some of these supplemental products to increase coverage levels,” he says. “A lot of our customers understand that while they’re spending more, it limits their downside, too, and that’s what I’m more concerned about.”
Historically, less than 2% of farmers’ costs are attributed to crop
insurance, says Kathleen Bjerke, assistant vice president of sales for Farmers Mutual Hail.
“There’s a lot that goes into having a great crop, but if it doesn’t grow, it’s crop insurance that lets you farm next year,” Bjerke says.
Consider the following: spring price for soybeans in 2022 was $14.33 per bushel. The harvest price for soybeans in the fall of 2024 was $10.03 per bushel.
“We’ve lost a lot of price protection; there was a huge drop in commodity prices in what crop insurance is guaranteeing,” Bjerke says. “Now is not the time to take our foot off the gas when we’re thinking about the future crop.”
There are several crop insurance products for farmers to consider in 2025. Bjerke suggests reaching out to your agent and the local Farm Service Agency office to learn more and ensure you’re properly enrolled and covered.
Equipment sharing
Farmers should take an inventory of their farm. What under-performing or non-performing assets can be sold?
Jim Knuth, Farm Credit Services of America
“ There’s a lot tha T goes into having a great crop, but if i T doesn’t grow, i T ’s crop insurance tha T lets you farm nex T year.”
Kathleen Bjerke, Farmers Mutual Hail
Knuth says farmers should look inside their machine sheds, too.
“You don’t make money by owning all of that equipment, you make money by utilizing it,” he says.
Perhaps you could work with another local farmer to share equipment to keep the costs of owning and maintaining equipment down. Sharing it with two or three neighbors could lower the machinery costs even further. Is custom farming something you consider in 2025 either as something you offer or something you hire? Doing so spreads
out the cost of owning machinery or equipment.
Multiple income streams
Just getting your start in agriculture? If so, consider multiple income streams.
“When you’re just starting out, it’s not likely that you have the ability to wait an entire year to harvest a crop and hope it’s profitable,” he says.
Off-farm income can provide the income support for the farm. Think about hauling grain, custom manure hauling, and other opportunities in agriculture.
TOP 5 TO-DO LIST IN 2025:
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2
3
4
5
“Young people are willing to do the labor, willing to hustle and willing to be entrepreneurial. They can diversify income streams without putting all their eggs in one basket,” Knuth says.
No matter the age or experience, having a risk management plan that fits your risk-bearing ability is essential.
“Holding grain and hoping the market turns higher isn’t a strategy,” Knuth says. “You must have a proactive plan.”
Contact Bethany Baratta at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com
Educate yourself on supplemental crop insurance products that can increase your coverage levels such as ECO and SCO. This can put a better safety net under your operation.
Resist the temptation to cut crop insurance levels to save costs. Lower crop insurance coverage levels could mean larger losses.
Evaluate your working capital position. How much short-term risk bearing ability do you have? Are there proactive steps you should take to enhance or preserve your working capital position?
Do an enterprise analysis of your operation. Consider selling underperforming or non-performing assets.
Re-evaluate your machinery and equipment business model. Should you consider more equipment sharing, leasing or custom farming? Work at getting your machinery and equipment costs per acre down.
or more than 50 years, Rolland Schnell has worked the land in Jasper County and the surrounding area, raising hundreds of thousands of bushels of soybeans and corn. He’s made a living, supported his family in the process and continued the legacy that began generations ago.
That legacy is now in the hands of his grandson, Riley Schnell. He is determined to make his own mark in the farm fields while honoring the demanding work and pride his grandfather is leaving behind.
Making the transition
It was 1973, and Rolland had been out of college a few years, working for Deere & Co. But his father became sick and the young Rolland needed to help. Rolland would ultimately expand upon the Schnell family farming tradition and make it his own.
It proved demanding and there have been several challenges along the way — the everyday struggle with cash flow, equipment, input costs, navigating the ups and downs of the market and surviving truly tough times like the farm crisis of the 1980s.
But the Schnell family farming operation has proven successful.
“It’s been a good ride,” says Rolland, who has been an active farmer-member of the Iowa Soybean Association for years, even serving as the board president in 2016. He is well known across the soybean industry for his hard work and accomplishments.
But recently, Rolland began experiencing his own health challenges. He recognized then he needed to seriously find a successor whose desire for farming mirrored his.
“Up until a few years ago, I was in good health, but something has changed,” he says with a catch in his voice.
That’s where Riley steps in.
The next generation
Over the past four years, Riley partnered with his grandfather and began in earnest making his mark in the farming business.
But he’s been around farming longer than that.
“As the story goes, after I was born, I was thrown in the cab of the combine, so I’ve been around farming basically since Day 1,” Riley laughs. “I’ve always been blessed with the ‘curse of farming.’”
Rolland knew Riley had the drive and passion to do the work.
“Riley has always wanted to farm all his life,” Rolland says.
But it was four years ago when Riley called his grandfather to say he might be ready to make the move.
“I was working for a feedlot operation in State Center, and I wanted the chance to farm,” Riley says. “And to my surprise my grandfather said, ‘Come home this fall, find some sort of off-farm income and we’ll cut everything down the middle.’ I had 375 acres initially. We stayed separate entities, sharing inputs costs and grain profits, but maintaining separate books.”
That continued for three years until Rolland’s health woes worsened.
“This past season was my first full year alone,” Riley says.
“I said, ‘It’s all yours buddy,’” jokes Rolland.
But even before this past season and three years prior, Rolland has been guiding his grandson in the intricacies of being a successful farmer and what it takes to build a legacy.
“Those conversations really started during my high school years,” Riley
“We need to put younger farmers back on the ground and give them an opportunity,” says Roger Van Ersvelde, who recently harvested his 54th crop. Watch how he’s ushering in the next generation, Cole Olson, in this video.
STORY BY JEFF HUTTON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOCLYN BUSHMAN
says. “He would talk about the poor markets, what to do, what not to do. He and the experience I’ve gained have been the best teachers.”
And there’s a lot to consider.
Rolland and Riley converse daily about conservation, what to plant, fuel and input costs, equipment, maintenance, the markets … the list seems endless.
“We always joke about what was on the list today,” Riley says. “But my grandfather said to focus on your top three items and prioritize them that day. And know your cash flow and stay within your means.”
Invaluable lessons
Rolland says he’s been happy to pass on lessons he’s learned on the farm to Riley, not afraid to share some of the unvarnished realities of being a farmer.
From the farm crisis to the fluctuating markets, Riley knows well
Riley Schnell is continuing the legacy of his grandfather, Rolland, as he takes over the family farm
going to happen next year economically. If you have some equity built up now, you can save for the hard times. Try to grow and implement your ideas without spending a whole lot of cash. Cash is king and I can only caution him the best way I know how.”
And for Riley, those lessons have been invaluable.
“I’ve learned a lot from him,” he says. “My grandfather and I still talk every day on the phone or ride around in the pickup truck. I’ve spent enough time with him growing up and I always knew that to be a farmer was so much more than sitting behind the steering wheel of a tractor.”
Taking your shot
Riley says the transition from his grandfather to him has been made easier through Rolland’s guiding hand and the hope the Schnell legacy will only grow
with a sense of entitlement because I know I’m here solely because of him.
“It’s humbling to carry on his legacy and everyone that came before him. And I do believe this was the path that was chosen for me long ago and I’m meant to be here and take hold of the opportunity my grandfather has given me.”
For Rolland, passing down the family farming business to his grandson is “heartwarming and comforting. There’s a sense of pride and that’s satisfying.”
Rolland says the lessons he has passed down, including the good and bad, are not meant to dissuade and discourage, but rather inform Riley that he can make his own way through the business of farming.
“I tell him to please plan ahead, dream big and do what you want,” he says. “You’ll never make the basket unless you shoot. Just be cautious when you’re shooting.”
Navigating the Road to Succession
FWhat veteran farmers and young farmers should consider when it comes to property acquisition
STORY BY JEFF HUTTON
or so many experienced farmers, they have spent nearly their entire lives building a business and caring for the land. They have created a legacy.
Younger generations, meanwhile, are just starting out, learning to navigate farm life, the complexities of acquiring land, raising a crop, and establishing their own legacy.
But being able to bridge one generation to the next and keeping those legacies intact is not easy.
Experts in both banking and real estate say farm transition can be smoother if communication and planning begins sooner than later.
Be proactive
Jake Porter, a commercial banker/ lender with Community State Bank in Ankeny says farmers, whether they are handing down their farming operation to their children, neighbor or someone else, must be proactive.
“One of the key things in transitioning a farm is to get out in front of it,” he says. “They need to start the conversations early and determine what both sides are hoping to achieve.”
Porter says too often, both sides in the acquisition and/or sale of a farming operation wait until a farmer is nearing retirement or there’s a serious health or family issue that arises.
He says the conversations that must occur need to happen years prior to make any transition or estate transfer smoother. And those conversations should include others — third parties that can assist in a multitude of areas.
“It really needs to involve some of the people who are advising that farmer, like the banker, the accountant, the attorney,” Porter says. “They offer multiple perspectives and can offer valuable resources. You can’t be afraid to involve those people because they know the intricacies and can help with planning in the most effective way.”
Communicate often
“The first three things to know: communication, communication and communication,” says Bob Allen, president and CEO of Home State Bank in Jefferson. “Between the farmer, their spouse, their successor, banker, attorney, agronomist and members of your team, you have to talk ahead about what you want to do.”
And while every farm transition is different and family dynamics are unique to each operation, the bottom line, Allen says, is there has to be a plan.
Allen knows firsthand because he, too, farms about 1,000 acres alongside his brother.
“I’m in this battle, too,” he says. “It’s important you have a plan, especially with
Iowa farmland, because the process can be complex; it takes time and consistency.”
For younger farmers, Allen says an initial business plan is key, although they know that plans can evolve and adapt.
“It’s really important for them to share their goals. Do they have a desire to rent or own farmland? They need to start talking to those who need to know,” he says.
Communicating those goals is more than just having one conversation over the kitchen table between those involved in the transition.
“From a beginning farmer standpoint, probably the biggest challenge is talking to a spouse about what they want,” Allen says. “Farming is a tough business and it takes a lot of money, a lot of capital.”
Farm equipment, alone, is a challenge because of depreciation. How do you transition that to the next generation?
While it’s difficult enough for a younger farmer to get started, Allen says retiring farmers may find it even more frustrating.
“I think for retiring farmers, I think they might find it harder to get out of farming because they are slowly losing control of what they’ve had for so long,” he says.
And if transitioning to more than one child — say two or three successors — that can add another layer of complication, Allen says.
Jake Porter, Community State Bank
Bob Allen, Home State Bank
Duane Petty, Century 21 Signature Real Estate
Hard conversations
Duane Petty, a real estate agent with Century 21 Signature Real Estate in Marshalltown, has seen those concerns with farmers who want to pass down their operation to his or her son or daughter, or multiple heirs.
“You have to have those deep conversations,” he says, “because you’re talking about a lot of dollars.”
Petty says if there are multiple heirs, but perhaps only one child wants to continue farming, farmers must consider how to properly divvy up the land and the overall business.
“From my perspective, you want to keep ahold of that land because that’s where you build your wealth and your net worth,” he says.
Petty has witnessed the division and anger that can arise when family members, like multiple children, want to do different things with the property they’ve acquired from their parents.
“A farmer really needs to know what each of his or her children’s goals are because determining who gets what or how the farm should look like in the future is important,” he says.
Kristiana Coutu, director of the Beginning Farmer Center and counsel for the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State University
Those conversations can be difficult. Petty related a story where there were three siblings — two sisters and a brother — who were going to inherit their father’s farm.
The sisters, he said, wanted to divide the land three ways and each could then sell off their parcels. The brother, however, wanted to continue farming, hoping to acquire all of the rich farmland his father had cultivated and continue the family legacy.
“He felt like he should get some sort of a break because he was going to continue to farm,” Petty says. “But the sisters wanted to sell, get their share and move on. Unfortunately, their parents had no plan in place and very difficult negotiations occurred. And with that kind of chaos, people can be savages.”
Petty says having those hard conversations, as well as meeting with a realtor and financial planner early makes much more sense than waiting until the last minute.
“With planning, you may not agree on everything, but you can learn to compromise, and everyone needs to be involved,” he says. “Whether it’s farmland
Transition tips and talking points
According to Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach, a sizable portion of Iowa’s farmland is currently held by individuals aged 65 and older.
In 2022, approximately twothirds of the land falls under their ownership, a sharp contrast to the situation in 1982 when less than onethird was owned by this age group. The aging rural population and the fact that 70-75% of farmers are now 55 years or older indicate the impending wave of land transfer.
ISU also noted that to this shift is the decrease in the percentage of Iowa farmland that is held to support the owners’ current income, meaning relatively less land is now owned to generate income that will run a farming household. This can stem from
or a house, promises made by your parents don’t mean anything unless you have the arrangements all worked out.”
Finding success
Porter says transitioning from one generation to the next means everyone needs to have a voice, especially the veteran farmer, who will often find letting go the most difficult.
“You can’t just flip it over in one day. It takes time,” he says.
Porter agrees the transition must focus on the end goal.
“In most cases, it’s to see that the farm stays in the family and keeps going,” Porter says.
There’s also the concept of managing expectations, because transitioning the farm from a farmer to the next generation may not look the same for all involved.
“Everyone has different ideas,” Porter says. “The younger farmer might want to try different things and operate differently than his or her father or grandfather did. Success can look differently for everyone, but both sides must be open to that.”
Contact Jeff Hutton at jhutton@iasoybeans.com
the increasing contribution of off-farm income for most family farms or the later-stage farmers having more established streams in preparation of retirement, changing their primary motivation for farming. Therefore, the percentage of land that is used to support the current income of farmers has dropped from 56% in 2012 to 38% in 2022. As fewer landowners keep farms to support their incomes, the motivation for land ownership has shifted toward other considerations.
A significant share of the total land, 37%, is now owned for family or sentimental reasons, and another 23% is owned as a long-term investment.
But for those who want to keep the family farm going as part of their legacy, Kristiana Coutu, director of the Beginning Farmer Center and counsel for the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at ISU, says farm succession and estate planning can be complex and sometimes challenging to navigate.
From distribution of property, tax implications, the probate of a will, division of assets and debts, understanding property tax assessments, agricultural liens and Iowa farm lease laws, farm transition and succession has multiple components.
The Beginning Farmer Center offers multiple resources through its website at beginningfarmer.iastate.edu.
WISHH leverages partnerships for U.S. Soy to help meet the protein needs of 8 billion consumers
Young entrepreneur develops soil compaction measuring tools
Concerns about soil compaction and its potential effects on his family's farm productivity prompted Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) farmer member Josh Jeske to take action.
“I started using a penetrometer to test for soil compaction. I found it inefficient to collect those measurements,” says Jeske, 25, who farms near Eldora. He founded Terraform Tillage in 2020.
“I soon came up with the idea to use my phone to collect and map these measurements in real-time, and the SmartProbe System was born.”
The SmartProbe System includes a custom-made smartphone mount that attaches your phone to nearly any penetrometer. Once a reading is captured, it can be entered into the SmartProbe app to track areas of your field’s compaction.
Jeske created the first version of the SmartProbe app and then hired a development team. The app was officially released last fall and now has more than 150 users in 24 countries.
Advancing Compaction Assessment
Jeske developed a tillage tuner system to take soil compaction measuring to the next level.
This system can be retrofitted onto almost any tillage equipment, swapping out a coil spring on the implement to automatically map soil compaction with every tillage pass.
“We can now measure the compaction profile across the entire field with results being sent to a web-based dashboard,” he says. “Farmers can go online and look back at their tillage maps to see where compaction is in the soil, helping them be informed year to year where they can both focus and reduce tillage.”
Eventually, Jeske says he wants to see the tillage shank sensor become a “sense and act system.”
“The second it senses compaction, the system will adjust the tillage equipment to be more aggressive to help break up the soil, or in areas of lower compaction, reduce tillage,” he says. “Essentially, this will increase yields, help save on tillage input costs, wear and tear on equipment and more importantly, reduce excessive tillage on your farm.”
Taking Action
Jeske performed on-farm trials on his own and in partnership with ISA’s Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI) using the SmartProbe to test cover crops' impacts on reducing soil compaction.
“It was apparent to me the first time I met Josh he was eager to learn and had a large interest in what we are doing at ISA’s RCFI,” says Alex Schaffer, ISA research agronomist. “Since then, RCFI has had Josh do some penetrometer readings in our long-term cover crop trial fields to help us understand the difference in compaction levels in side-by-side cover crop and no-cover crop acres.” STORY BY PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISS NELSON JOCLYN BUSHMAN
These side-by-side trials of cover crops versus no cover crops showed a substantial reduction in soil compaction in the first 12 inches of the soil and a reduction in other depths.
“Using the SmartProbe System, we’ve seen reductions in soil compaction from cover crops on our farm,” Jeske says. “We now go in and only subsoil areas of higher compaction, and we had the lowest tillage input costs on record on our farm. I also had near or record yields on almost every field in 2023, despite facing one of the worst droughts in 10 years. We not only saved on moisture by cutting back on excessive tillage, but we also added to the soil's health.”
Environmental Opportunities
In addition to those benefits, Jeske was able to cash in on sequestering carbon by reducing tillage.
“I see big opportunities with the environmental play, and I think sequestering carbon is going to become even bigger in the coming years as the tides are already going in that direction,” he says. “My tools can help the transition process to reduce tillage much easier for farmers. My generation has way better opportunities, just from a technology standpoint, to make environmentally sound decisions work. Compaction is no longer a hidden yield robber.”
ISA Communications Squad
Jeske became a member of ISA's Communications Squad to enhance promotion for his family’s 125-yearold farm, his business and the agricultural industry he champions.
“It was a cool experience, and I received firsthand insight into how ISA operates,” he says. “The tagline ‘ISA invests checkoff dollars to deliver programs and services to improve farmer profitability, productivity and sustainability’ resonated deeply with me and I have seen how much impact each of those core elements can have on agriculture and our communities.”
Those impressions are also helping Jeske in operating his business.
“At Terraform Tillage, I strive to embody those same principles. Our products and services are designed to do more than just address surface-level challenges; they’re crafted to drive real, measurable improvements in soil health and farm operations,” he says. “Profitability, productivity and sustainability aren’t just buzzwords to me — they are pillars of our approach. Without incorporating all three, our solutions would be incomplete and wouldn't live up to their fullest potential.”
Contact Kriss Nelson at knelson@iasoybeans.com
On the farm with Josh Jeske near Eldora.
Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio: The Key to Unlocking Your Soil Potential
Matt Swanson ISA Conservation Agronomist mswanson@iasoybeans.com
As today’s farmers continue to implement cover crops on their farms, the effect of the carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio must be understood. In this article, we will discuss what the C:N ratio is, how the C:N ratio affects nutrients already in your soil, how proper C:N ratio is a key indicator of healthy soils, and in what way cover crops can affect your soil’s C:N ratio.
The C:N ratio measures the mass of carbon to nitrogen. Knowing your soil’s ratio when planning your crop rotations and implementing cover crops is essential. For example, the optimum ratio for soil microbes is 24:1. The 24:1 ratio stimulates microbes, allowing for timely plant residue decomposition, which helps release nutrients to your cash crop.
Unlocking your soil’s potential
Microbes must be fed a balanced diet to keep working for you in your soil. Corn residue has a C:N ratio of 57:1, which indicates a high carbon content and a poor environment for microbes to rapidly consume and break down plant residue. This means when corn residue is left in soil on a corn-on-corn rotation, microbes use nitrogen to break down the carbon-rich residue, making it unavailable to the crop.
Some producers will add more nitrogen in the spring to compensate for the “tied up” nitrogen. However, introducing a cover crop with a low C:N ratio, such as hairy vetch, can be a better solution to unlocking nitrogen in your soil.
Nitrogen is not the only nutrient that can be tied up in your soil due to an improper C:N ratio. Microbes can also use phosphorus for their own nutritional needs, and they may compete with plants for phosphorus in high C:N soils. Soil tests that historically have high phosphorus values could have a C:N ratio that needs to be adjusted.
Healthy soil maintenance
Maintaining a proper C:N ratio is key to having healthy soils. A C:N score of 24:1 promotes higher microbial activity and can lead to higher organic
matter. Organic matter is plant, animal, and microbial residue in various stages of decomposition, and new research has shown that as much as 80% of it is microbial residue.
High organic matter scores lead to more nutrient release, improved water-holding capacity, and reduced compaction. This further supports the importance of proper C:N ratio to soil health. A C:N ratio that is too high can lead to more fungi than bacteria in the soil, leading to slow cycling of organic matter and immobilized inorganic nitrogen. When your soil’s C:N ratio is too low, the residue breaks down faster and increases the chance of nitrogen leaching.
Cover crops can naturally help raise or lower your soil’s C:N ratio. Planting cereal rye as a cover crop before corn often receives bad publicity because of
Material
Rye straw
Wheat straw
Oat straw
Corn stover
C:N Ratio
Pea straw 37:1
Rye cover crop (anthesis) 29:1
Rye cover crop (vegetative) 26:1
Mature alfalfa hay 25:1
Ideal Microbial Diet 24:1
Rotted barnyard manure 20:1
Legume hay 17:1
Beef manure 17:1
Young alfalfa hay 13:1
Hairy vetch cover crop 11:1
Soil microbes (average) 8:1
Figure 1: Integrating cover crops such as hairy vetch, radishes and crimson clover, all with low Carbon:Nitrogen (C:N) ratios, can significantly aid in adjusting your soil’s C:N ratio closer to the ideal 24:1 to minimize the early season concerns of corn following a cover crop.
Scenarios provided by ISU’s Castellano in 2014.
the thought of cereal rye having an allelopathic effect on corn.
Some believe that allelopathy, where cereal rye produces biochemicals that impact corn growth, survival and reproduction, is to blame for yield reductions in corn following cover crops. In other words, this is saying the roots of the cereal rye plant are releasing allelochemicals that harm the corn plant. However, according to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the allelopathic chemicals released by cereal rye are related to the seed size of the subsequent plant or crop.
The smaller the seed, the more susceptible the plant is. The large seed of corn and its planting depth will minimize the impact of any allelopathic chemicals from cereal rye. The yield drag producers
see when planting corn into cereal rye is directly related to the cereal rye’s high C:N ratio and microbes in the soil are tying up the N. Integrating cover crops such as hairy vetch, radishes and crimson clover, all with low C:N ratios, can significantly aid in adjusting your soil’s C:N ratio closer to the ideal 24:1 to minimize the early season concerns of corn following a cover crop.
Iowa Soybean Association’s Research Center for Farming Innovation is driven to deliver more ways to increase soybean production while keeping conservation at the forefront. Maintaining a proper C:N ratio is crucial to soil health and unlocking nutrients. For more information on research in cover crops, please reference The Advances in Cover Crop Management Guide on the ISA website.
Figure 2: A Carbon:Nitrogen (C:N) score of 24:1 promotes higher microbial activity and can lead to higher soil organic matter (SOM).
RISING STAR
TO THE 2025 ISA LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNERS WHO IN DECEMBER! TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH
presented by Farm Credit Services of America Amanda Ostrem
presented by Corteva Brian Strasser
NEW LEADER
presented by Cargill Roger Wolf
FRIEND OF THE IOWA SOYBEAN FARMER
ADVOCATE FOR IOWA AGRICULTURE presented by Bayer Chuck White
WHO WERE RECOGNIZED AT THE WINTER SOY SUMMIT EACH RECIPIENT, GO TO IASOYBEANS.COM.
Dan Voss
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER
presented by Agri Drain
Dave Walton
POLICY CHAMPION
presented by Champion Seed
presented by John Deere Chad Krull
INNOVATOR IN PRODUCTION RESEARCH
presented by Stine Seed Yvonne Wente
LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
AGRICULTURE’S
Ostrem seeks to connect agriculture and consumers
STORY BY BETHANY BARATTA
Amanda Ostrem was brushing her pig, awaiting to be called to the show ring when her career path became a little clearer. However, it wasn’t in the grooming technique, the walk to the show ring, the experience or advice from a fellow showman or judge that encouraged her. Rather, it was a visitor to the Iowa State Fair, someone disconnected from agriculture.
“We don’t need farmers, we have grocery stores,” the woman told Ostrem, who was raised on a farm near Stanhope.
Seven years later, Ostrem replays that comment in her head. It’s fuel for her journey in helping to connect consumers and farmers.
“I think the biggest issue is the lack of understanding of the importance of agriculture and how it works,” says Ostrem, a student at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC).
Had the fair passerby stopped to talk to Ostrem, she’d learn about her summers on the farm, using her wagon to pick rocks out of soybean and corn fields. She’d learn about how planting and harvest — though short seasons in the year on a farm — provided Ostrem, her brother and her sister with valuable lessons.
“We weren’t the largest farm, but we were really family involved,” she says. “Spending time together and seeing agriculture as a whole was something that was really special.”
Years later, the passerby would learn about how early morning and late night practices in her agricultural education classroom in Stanhope prepared her for extemporaneous speaking and conduct of meetings contests, and, eventually, her role as the South Hamilton FFA chapter’s president. She would hear about Ostrem’s efforts as a member of the Clear Lake Sailors 4-H Club, showing her horse and her dog.
Now, Ostrem has her sights set on the future.
Ostrem was recently named the recipient of the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Rising Star award. Sponsored by Farm Credit, one award recipient is chosen based on applications and essay submissions from high school seniors or college students. Ostrem also received a $2,000 education stipend to be used to further her studies.
After earning her degree in ag business from DMACC this year, Ostrem will attend Iowa State University to study ag communication.
“I want a career that involves advocacy to passionately push agriculture through to other people,” she says. “I really want to bridge the gap between agriculture and society. There’s a lack of understanding on both sides, and creating that understanding will only create support for the industry.”
She credits her advisors and teachers at DMACC for their support of the DMACC Ag Club, of which she is currently president. Being involved in ISA’s Soy Squad also bridged her understanding of the soybean industry. Soy Squad connected her to other collegiateaged students while providing an overview of ISA and its research, policy and education efforts.
“One of my favorite sessions was interacting with policymakers, especially those from my home area, whom I’ve never met,” she says. “Connecting as a student to a politician and learning about how their world works and sharing what we’re interested in helped frame up how we can work together.”
An internship with the World Food Prize Foundation’s youth program opened her eyes to global food production and the challenges that surround global hunger.
“Everyone is so focused on increasing production because of an increasing population, but in reality, if all the food we have now was distributed throughout the world equally, everyone would have 2,000 plus calories more than the daily requirement,” she says.
Thinking globally and acting locally may very well be in Ostrem’s career path. Her experiences in agriculture and this award recognition from ISA support her future endeavors.
“It’s really important to me and I’m beyond honored,” she says of the award. “It’s proving that I’m on the right track, that I’m following the right passions and that there are a lot of people who care about agricultural advocacy.”
Contact Bethany Baratta at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com
I really want to bridge the gap between agriculture and society. There’s a lack of understanding on both sides, and creating that understanding will only create support for the industry.”
Amanda Ostrem, ISA's Rising Star award recipient
THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE
What’s the ag industry missing on how to connect with consumers?
Ostrem: More education and outreach to students. We underestimate the number of high school students that don’t know anything about agriculture. There is more education geared toward upper age high school students, industry and adults, but I think we’re missing younger high school students.
How can agriculture better include youth?
Ostrem: Youth are really creative and have a lot of out-of-the-box ideas. Instead of assuming youth don’t know what they’re talking about, seek to understand their viewpoint and how we can work toward the same goals.
What do you tell other peers about being involved in ag?
Ostrem: You have to get out there and do it. I wouldn’t have been in Soy Squad without my teachers telling me to apply for it. Sometimes the best thing to do is step outside your comfort zone and pursue every opportunity presented to you.
Submitted
Policy Champion
A seventh generation farmer recognized for his efforts in advocating for soybean industry
STORY BY BETHANY BARATTA
Perhaps it’s because his family’s roots run deep in agriculture. They’ve been farming in Iowa since 1835, before Iowa was a state. Maybe it’s his competitive, play-towin mentality. After all, several of the swimmers he’s coached qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials; many swam collegiately at Division 1 or private colleges.
Perhaps Dave Walton’s doing it for the eighth generation on his family’s farm, his son, Brad. Maybe it’s a combination of everything.
Each person has a reason they show up and advocate for what they believe in either at the Statehouse in Des Moines or on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
“One of the things that continues to drive me is providing a voice for the 40,000 farmers in Iowa and the half a million soybean farmers in the U.S.,” says Walton, who raises soybeans, corn, wheat and cattle near Wilton. “Not everybody has the time or the ability or the desire to do what we’re doing, but the things that we’re working for are going to affect every single one of them in one way or another.”
Walton, an Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) District 6 director, has been formally advocating for pro-farmer policies for more than a decade. He previously served as an at-large director on ISA’s executive
committee. He is a director on the American Soybean Association board of directors. He also serves on the governing board for Clean Fuels Alliance America (formerly the National Biodiesel Board).
Walton was recently named the 2025 ISA Policy Champion. Sponsored by Champion Seed, the award recognizes an ISA Advocate Member who actively participates in advocating for policy and regulatory issues benefiting farmers and the soybean industry and has a proven track record of personally engaging elected leaders on these issues.
“The fact that ISA has thought enough about the work that farmers do on their behalf really speaks volumes to the way they (ISA) views us, that we’re the strength of the organization,” Walton says. “When farmers step forward and put our minds to things, we get a lot of things accomplished. Having this award established by the association is recognition of that.”
So, what three topics are high on the list for Walton in 2025?
1. Farm bill: About 80% of the farm bill is in food and nutrition; 20% is tied directly to production agriculture. Keeping an inexpensive, reliable food supply is a national security issue. Updates to the reference
prices means farmers have a safety net so they can farm one year to the next. “Reference prices haven’t kept up with some of the commodities, including soybeans, and they certainly haven’t kept up with the rate of inflation,” he says. Also, ensuring that conservation programs work for working lands and we’re not taking land out of production that should stay in production and into the hands of other producers. “If I have to compete with CRP or some other working lands programs for land that my son could farm, that’s problematic. If there are incentives to keep that land in production but farm it in a sustainable way that’s one thing, but paying to take land out of production, that’s something completely different. We want to see those lands stay as working lands and not CRP, where it’s taken out of production.”
2. Biodiesel: Successful implementation of the 45Z tax credit as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. In anticipation of the 45Z tax credit and its carbon footprintbased approach, there have been record imports of used cooking oil and tallow driven by increased domestic production of renewable diesel. Those feedstocks have lower carbon intensity scores than domestically grown soybeans, giving them an advantage in the market. The combination of carbon intensity-based production and consumption policies
across the globe have collectively heightened demand for low carbon feedstocks, displacing soybean oil’s oncedominate position in the U.S. feedstock market. “We’ve got to get it right. If we get it right, it (soybean oil) continues to be a valuable source of income for farmers. If we don’t, soybean oil goes to a surplus again and drags down the price of soybeans. It’s a complicated conversation, but we’re trying to get the conversations centered around science and facts,” Walton says.
3. Rulemaking around re-registration of pesticides through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA evaluates crop protection product labels and registrations. Products must perform as advertised without having adverse impacts on human health or the environment. This includes an evaluation of potential impacts to non-target species, including those listed as endangered. To address potential adverse effects as determined by the EPA, the agency can require changes to uses, rates, application methods and other mitigation measures.
“This is a freedom to operate issue,” Walton says. “Some of the pesticides and insecticides that we use to manage pests in our fields could be taken off the table. We could lose a lot of tools out of our toolbox.”
Contact Bethany Baratta at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com
TIPS FROM THE POLICY PRO
Wear comfortable shoes
For me, it’s Allen Edmonds dress shoes or Ariat boots (follow him on social media and you’ll discover where he’s headed). At home, you’ll find me in Red Wing or Danner boots.
Learn from peers
Many farmers have been mentors to me, providing insights on previous policymaking and encouraging me to continue advocating with and for farmers.
Tell your story
Share with lawmakers and their staff how proposed policies affect you personally on your farm. Your story may end up in a press release or told via legislator on the House or Senate floor during a session.
Annual conference returns to help farmers make informed business decisions
STORY BY BROCK JOHNSTON
Shifting market dynamics, both domestically and internationally, continue to impact the value of Iowa’s soybean crop.
To provide insight into global trends and domestic policy changes that could impact farmers’ return on investment in 2025 and beyond, the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) is hosting the Farm Forward Conference on Feb. 3 in Des Moines.
“Farm Forward is designed to help Iowa soybean farmers better navigate the many production and market forces shaping our industry,” says Matt Herman, ISA chief officer of demand and advocacy. “Attendees will walk away with timely information and valuable discussion from industry leaders as we seek to help farmers navigate the dynamics ahead.”
Keynote speaker Dr. Matt Roberts, founder of the economics research consultancy The Kernmantle Group, will set the stage for a day of insights allowing farmers to make informed business decisions in the year ahead.
JOIN US!
RSVP BY JAN. 12
Scan QR code or visit iasoybeans.com/forward33
Questions? Contact Paige Whitney at 712-371-9901 or pwhitney@iasoybeans.com
A nationally renowned grain and energy markets expert, Roberts will outline the issue of trade under a new administration, the economics at play and what potential factors may impact the soybean industry as a result.
From new soybean uses and biofuels issues to farmlevel economics and farm policy changes, conference programming will bring together an expert lineup of speakers and panelists to explore some of the biggest challenges and opportunities on the horizon.
Confirmed speakers and panelists include Jim Knuth, senior vice president of Farm Credit Services of America; Kailee Tkacz Buller, CEO of the National Oilseed Processors Association; Adam Gregg, CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association; Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, vice president of external affairs at Landus; Doug Struyk, an attorney with Carney and Appleby; Kirk Leeds, ISA CEO and more.
Following the event, all attendees are invited and encouraged to attend ISA’s annual legislative reception at Curate. Program participants will also receive a ticket to the Iowa Ag Expo, formerly known as the Iowa Power and Farming Show, held Feb. 4-6 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.
To register and view the full agenda, visit iasoybeans.com/forward33.
Feb. 3, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hotel Fort Des Moines
1000 Walnut St., Des Moines, Iowa 50309
9:30 a.m. Registration
10:00 a.m. Trade Outlook Under the New Administration
11:05 a.m. Creating New Demand for Soy at Home and Abroad
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Soy Squeeze: 2025 Economics
2:00 p.m. Break
2:10 p.m. Inflation Reduction Act Biofuel Tax Credits: Under New Management
3:15 p.m. Iowa Legislative Outlook
4:00 p.m. Adjourn
6:30 p.m. Legislative Reception
Join state lawmakers and fellow farmers for ISA’s annual Legislative Reception to be held at Curate (322 E Court Ave, Des Moines)
Dr. Matt Roberts, The Kernmantle Group
At just 22 years year old, Caleb Renner of Klemme is making his mark in the world of ag innovation with his invention of the AgriNet — a solution to keep farmers out of grain bins during the clean-out process.
Renner is carrying on the family tradition of farming (he’s the fifth generation) while also managing his business, Renner Ag Solutions, and exploring a passion for innovation.
Have you always embraced innovation?
Renner: I would say I have always had an innovative mind and I have always been fascinated with technology. I think everyone has a little bit of innovative juices flowing through their bodies, but it takes the right environment to cultivate those thoughts to come up with ideas.
I probably get a lot of my forward-thinking abilities from my dad (Iowa Soybean Association At-Large Director Brent Renner). He has always been innovative, and that quality has been passed down to me.
What is AgriNet and what does this new product mean for farmers?
Renner: I was helping clean out a bin, thinking there should be a more efficient and safer process and I came up with the idea for AgriNet.
AgriNet sits on the bottom of the grain bin and is lifted with a series of pulleys and electrical winches, disturbing the grain’s angle of repose, causing it to trickle to the center sump. Gone will be the days when you will need three to four people working in a grain bin sweeping and shoveling; instead, you will push a button on the outside of the grain bin, and it will essentially clean itself.
How are you taking your invention to the next level?
Renner: As a student at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC), I entered the “Every Day Entrepreneur Challenge Pitch Competition” hosted by the NIACC John PappaJohn Entrepreneurial Center and received first place. At that point, it was just an idea, but winning that competition made me confident this idea had some merit and was worth exploring to a larger degree. Since then, it has exploded and turned into something way bigger than I ever thought it would be.
I have developed prototypes, and this winter, for the first time in grain storage history, the AgriNet will be used to clean out a grain bin, eliminating the need for a farmer to enter the bin to sweep up the remaining bushels.
AgLaunch, an affiliate of Ag Ventures in Mason City, accepted me into an accelerator program. This summer, I will team up with farmers who will test my product. I hope that by 2026, AgriNet will be available in the marketplace.
“I want to continue coming up with new and innovative ideas, adding them to my portfolio, cultivating my company and seeing what the future has in store.”
Caleb Renner
AgriNet is the brainchild of Caleb Renner
What’s it like to be young and an entrepreneur?
Renner: I’m in the most exciting period of my life. I want to continue coming up with new and innovative ideas, adding them to my portfolio, cultivating my company and seeing what the future has in store.
Who do you attribute to your early success?
Renner: I’ve been fortunate to have great mentors who provided valuable advice, not just on farming but also on business.
Jayson Ryner, founder of ReEnvision Ag. Inc., an instructor of entrepreneurship at NIACC, and a longtime family friend, has provided invaluable mentorship and connections throughout the early months of starting my business. My dad has played a major role in guiding me, offering advice and brainstorming various ideas.
I have also taken advantage of learning from my grandfather, Tom Renner. It is neat to get the older generation’s perspective on how they farmed and how much farming has changed. It puts agriculture innovation into perspective because the ag industry constantly evolves. As much as some farmers may not like to admit it, this is an adaptor-die industry, and it’s better to be ahead of the ball instead of behind it. Agriculture is not a stagnant industry. Innovation is constantly changing, and I want nothing more than to be a part of it.
Contact Kriss Nelson at knelson@iasoybeans.com
“Caleb’s farming background means he understands the development of value for farmers. So many entrepreneurs who don’t have that experience miss the point of helping farmers solve problems.
Caleb has a definite talent in telling the story. When people listen to him talk about his innovation, it is very easy to understand. Being able to pitch the story, as well as Caleb does, is rare, especially for someone in their 20s.”
Jayson Ryner, Founder of ReEnvision Ag.
North Iowa Area Community College
Inc.
(NIACC)
and entrepreneurship instructor
at
The Gold Standard
The 2024 FFA winner in fiber/oil crop production aims to demonstrate leadership to peers
The National FFA Organization's mission is to help students by developing their potential for “premier leadership, personal growth and career success.”
The organization's mission resonates with Ryan Wicklein, an 18-year-old senior at Southeast Valley High School and member of the Central Plains FFA chapter in Gowrie.
A Supervised Agricultural Experience
During his freshman year of high school, Wicklein became more active in his family's farm. The fourth generation on the farm, Wicklein invested 1,360 hours into his family's soybean operation.
“I learned responsibility, crop care, decision-making, adaptability and flexibility while stepping outside of my comfort zone and recognized skills that I needed to improve on," says Wicklein.
He gained experience planting, crop scouting and harvesting the crop while learning valuable skills in operating machinery and working with others on the farm, including his father and their agronomist.
Throughout this time, Wicklein diligently worked to keep detailed records. His hard work was rewarded when he was named the 2024 state proficiency winner in fiber and oil crop production for his supervised agricultural experience (SAE). This award, sponsored by the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), recognizes FFA members who have developed specialized skills in fiber and oil crop production through their SAE programs.
To be named the 2024 state proficiency winner in fiber and oil crop production, Ryan Wicklein collaborated with Central Plains FFA Advisor Johanna Kunert to make sure that all of his records and applications were properly organized.
Ryan Wicklein's more than 1,300 hours of fieldwork included a thorough understanding of all aspects of soybean crop production, including learning a new skill, running the planter. (Photo submitted.)
STORY BY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISS NELSON JOCLYN BUSHMAN
“Through his SAE project, it is easy to see that Ryan is passionate about the soybean industry. His ability to keep records and make management decisions based on previous outcomes made him a strong candidate for this award,” says Mickayla Jordan, ISA marketing coordinator. “Ryan also showed how the skills he gained through participating in FFA crop scouting, soil evaluation and agronomy career development events could improve his farming operation.”
“It was a tremendous accomplishment,” says Wicklein, who was recognized with the award at the Iowa FFA Convention. “I love being a part of the ag scene and FFA and helping underclassmen be a part of FFA, telling them what proficiencies and opportunities they have available to them.”
Central Plains FFA Advisor Johanna Kunert assisted Wicklein in applying for the award.
“We spent so many hours on this award application,” she says. “Throughout the process, I got to know Ryan, and he was obviously super deserving with all the hard work he did on the farm.”
Wicklein doesn't take the help he received from Kunert and his fellow FFA members for granted.
“If you surround yourself with good people like Miss Kunert and other students, it makes the work much easier,” he says. “There is a lot of knowledge that flows through our chapter.”
Striving to be a positive influence
Before graduating and heading to college to study agronomy, Wicklein has kept active throughout his FFA career, taking part in a variety of contests, including crop scouting, soil science judging and serving as his chapter's historian.
“I am building skills to use toward my future,” he says. “All the competitions and the college classes I am taking now are helping me work toward becoming an agronomist. I have an internship with Brevant this summer. I am working to build that resume and do all I can do to become the best I can in the field.”
Whatever the activity, Wicklein is aware his peers are watching.
“I always make sure I am doing my work with good ethics, making sure they can look up to me and hopefully become better by learning from me,” he says.
In 2025, Wicklein is expanding his horizons by learning more about corn production. He is also looking forward to earning his Iowa FFA degree, the highest award the state can bestow upon its members.
“Ryan has an incredible work ethic whether it is with FFA, sports, or high school studies and is already on the right track with college classes,” says Kunert. “He is a role model for the younger students who look up to him. I know he will be successful in whatever he does.”
Contact Kriss Nelson at knelson@iasoybeans.com
Proficiency awards recognize FFA members dedicated to expanding their agricultural knowledge and employability skills through their personal supervised agricultural experience (SAE). These awards are essential for encouraging youth to gain hands-on experience and explore new areas of the agriculture industry through their SAE projects.
The Iowa Soybean Association partners with Iowa FFA to recognize outstanding FFA members involved in the soybean industry by sponsoring the Fiber and/or Oilseed Proficiency Award. The Iowa FFA Association plays a vital role in creating the next generation of leaders who will shape the agriculture industry. As an Iowa FFA Gold Standard Partner, the Iowa Soybean Association is proud to support and invest in agriculture's future leaders.
ISA President Suzanne Shirbroun presented the award to Wicklein. Photo submitted.
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