About the Checkoff

What is the Illinois Soybean Association?

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and government relations efforts, while the membership program, Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) and the Illinois Soybean Growers PAC actively advocates for positive and impactful legislation for farmers at local, state and national levels. ISA upholds the interests of Illinois soybean farmers through promotion, advocacy, research and education with the vision of becoming a trusted partner of Illinois soybean farmers to ensure their profitability now and for future generations.

How does the soybean checkoff work?

To help fund research and promotion efforts, Illinois soybean farmers contribute a portion of their sale proceeds to the checkoff program. Currently, farmers invest 0.5 percent of the net market price for each bushel they sell. Half of these collected funds are retained and administered by the United Soybean Board (USB). The other half is distributed to Qualified State Soybean Boards (QSSBs), like ISB, to be managed by a board of directors.

Your checkoff dollars at work

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) includes the ISA checkoff program, which is funded by checkoff dollars; ISA checkoff and membership programs for jointly funded projects; and Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG), which is funded by membership dollars.

ISA has 24 elected board members, of which six provide at large representation and 18 speak for the crop reporting districts where their farms are located.

Illinois soybean farmers contribute a portion of their sale proceeds to the checkoff program. Producers invest 0.5 precent of the net market price for each bushel they sell. Half of these collected funds are retained and administered by the United Soybean Board (USB). The other half is distributed to Qualified State Soybean Boards (QSSBs), like the Illinois Soybean Board, to be managed by a board of directors. The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and profitability research, issues analysis, communications and education.

Checkoff contributions do not pay for policy work. Those activities must be conducted and funded through ISG. ISG’s membership and advocacy efforts support Illinois soybean farmer interests in local areas, Springfield and in Washington, D.C.

The ISA checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. With a focus on farmer needs, our efforts to supplement supply chain success targeted increased profitability and customer demand across multiple markets. In FY21, ISA invested in research efforts to improve soybean yield, partnered with crop input suppliers, soybean merchandisers and logistics companies for mutual success, all while reaching out to prospective and established soy customers and joining forces with industry colleagues to advance Illinois agriculture.

To learn about the programs funded by the USB portion, please visit the organization’s website, unitedsoybean.org.

FAQs

Who governs the funds administered by ISA?ILSoybean2022-12-15T15:40:44+00:00

Who governs the funds administered by ISA?

The ISA Board of Directors consists of 24 volunteer farmers who govern the organization’s use of checkoff and non-checkoff funds. Eighteen District Directors, representing specific regional areas, and six At-Large Directors, representing the state as a whole, are elected on a state-wide basis.

What is the history of ISA?ILSoybean2022-12-20T13:34:03+00:00

What is the history of ISA?

Since the mid-1960s, ISA has served the needs of soybean farmers across Illinois. Today, we value our long history, knowing that we help improve profitability for all Illinois farmers. More information about the history of ISA is available here.

Does ISA align with national soybean organizations?ILSoybean2022-09-29T16:44:24+00:00

Does ISA align with national soybean organizations?

ISA works with three national soybean organizations to meet demand, develop new uses for soy products, expand export markets and develop national policy. All of our state-level efforts are coordinated and executed with these groups and their objectives in mind.

To learn more about ISA and its efforts, please read our press releases. We also encourage you to review these documents, videos and audio files.

Economic impact of Illinois soybeans administered by ISA.ILSoybean2022-12-12T23:19:27+00:00

Economic impact of Illinois soybeans administered by ISA.

Illinois is a leader in soybean production with a huge economic impact. Illinois soybeans provide a global food supply, feed for animals, sustainable biodiesel and more.