Today’s business-minded farmers watch every dollar, every day. Inputs, equipment, labor—it all comes down to making smart investments, expecting bigger returns. No matter the size of your farm, your Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff program is focused on creating value you can see and feel.

You trust us with something valuable—not just your checkoff dollars, but your belief that we’ll put those dollars to work in ways that actually help you. That’s why one of the most important things we do each year is ask what matters most to you in our annual Producer Sentiment Survey.

We want to know: What challenges are keeping you up at night? What’s giving you hope? Where do you see opportunity? And most importantly—are we doing right by you?

This year, your answers told us a powerful story.

More than half of farmers surveyed said ISA adds value to their operation. That means we’re on the right track, that our market-building, agronomic research, and our education and promotion efforts are connecting with farmers where it counts: in your soybean fields and in real-world conditions.

Biodiesel is one great example. More than 56% of farmers identified biofuels as the most promising soybean market. That tells us ISA’s push to grow biodiesel demand is not just a smart bet, it’s a direct response to farmer priorities. Whether it’s securing infrastructure funding, providing research and information that advances policy or bringing partners to the table, we’re making sure soy-based fuels will continue to drive our nation’s energy future.

Here’s what else we heard loud and clear:

• Market growth and export support remain top priorities. That tracks with what we’re seeing globally. ISA is staying on the front lines, promoting Illinois soybeans abroad, protecting access to key markets and pushing for smart trade policy that benefits your farm.
• 61% of farmers say they’re innovators or early adopters of technology. That’s a clear signal that you’re ready to embrace new tools as long as they’re practical and profitable. So we’re focused on solutions that don’t just check a box but actually help you run your farm even better.
• 87% of you identified market volatility and input costs as top concerns. We hear you. These are challenging times, and ISA is doubling down on our educational outreach efforts in pursuit of common-sense regulation, cost-saving opportunities and protections that guard your bottom line.

We want you to know that your input doesn’t sit on a shelf. It drives everything we do. Because at the end of the day, you’ve made an investment, and we will keep earning it.

We’ll stay responsive, keeping your priorities front and center.

We’ll stay proactive, seeking out the next opportunity before it becomes the next challenge.

And we’ll stay focused, working every day to deliver outcomes that move this industry forward.

And while this year’s survey numbers are encouraging, they’re not a finish line. They’re a reminder that we’re on the right path, but there’s still more to do. We will continue to grow more innovative and even more aligned with the realities you face every day. With your voice guiding us, we’re building a future that’s stronger, smarter and more resilient for every soybean farmer in Illinois.

It’s important to note that members of our Government Relations team remain vital to our overall effort. Their work on issue education and outreach keeps farmers informed about regulatory and policy matters that can impact the bottom line just as much as production. It’s a partnership of purpose always focused on compliance—checkoff programs drive research and innovation, while Government Relations educates around policy implications. Look for more on this in our August “Regulatory Issue” of Illinois Field & Bean.