At the December 2025 meeting of the Illinois Soybean Board, Martin Duffy of New Haven, Ill., was elected as the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) District 18 Director, representing Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union and Williamson counties.

A lifelong southern Illinois farmer and COUNTRY Financial Adviser, Duffy brings decades of experience and a strong commitment to protecting the future of Illinois soybean farmers. He recently sat down with ISA’s Illinois Field & Bean Magazine to share more about his farming operation, career and what motivated him to join the ISA Board of Directors.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FARM.

“I’ve been on the farm my entire life. I started farming with my dad and uncle, and over time I ended up farming about 750 acres. When the Conservation Reserve Program became available, we enrolled some acres and planted trees, which have since matured. Since then, we’ve also established a whitetail hunting lodge, which keeps us very busy.

Today, my son and I farm together while both still working full time. We currently farm a little over 200 acres. We started with about 100 acres and have doubled that in the last three years, which may not sound like much to some, but it’s a big deal for us. We raise corn, wheat and soybeans.”

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY ON THE FARM?

“When my boys were little and having them come ride the combine with me and seeing the excitement on their faces. That’s always been my all-time favorite memory.”

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE ILLINOIS SOYBEAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS?

“My biggest concern is commodity prices and what we can do to strengthen them so farmers can remain viable and stay in business. That’s my top priority and one the main reasons I wanted to get involved and serve on the board.”

WHAT CHECKOFF-FUNDED PROJECT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT?

“We plant a lot of soybeans, and I’m around many farmers in our county who grow both corn and soybeans. I’ve always been really interested in agriculture, especially everything that we can do to improve yields through science and research.”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR ROLE AT COUNTRY FINANCIAL.

“I started at COUNTRY Financial on Oct. 1, 1995, and have been there for more than 30 years. I’ve already submitted my retirement date and will be turning in my keys for the final time in June 2027!”

WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU MOST IN YOUR CAREER?

“My manager who hired me, Fred Keppner. He had a tremendous impact on my career and was truly one of the best.”

WHEN YOU’RE NOT FARMING OR WORKING, HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR TIME?

“I play a lot of golf, and in the fall, we spend a lot of time at the hunting lodge, taking care of our hunters and feeding them, keeping a fire built, and all those fun things that go along with it.”

The Country Lodge is located in New Haven, Ill., and is a great destination for both new and experienced whitetail deer hunters. Visit their Facebook page to learn more: facebook.com/thecountrylodge/.

To learn more about the Illinois Soybean Board of Directors, visit ilsoy.org/board-of-directors/.