The Illinois Game Changers Issue
MAY 2026 | VOLUME 6, ISSUE 7
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) explains how to access used equipment and tools at a steep discount.
By U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)
What does the farm of the future look like? Robots? Automation? Fewer workers?
By Ashley Rice-Haddon, Lead Writer, Illinois Field & Bean Magazine
From advancements in research to rising global demand, the work happening today is laying the groundwork for tomorrow’s success.
By John Lumpe, ISA CEO
Nominate a deserving young farmer for the 2026 20 Under 40 program!
By Betsy Osman, Director of Marketing Communications, Illinois Soybean Association
ISA Director of Government Relations & Strategy KJ Johnson provides an overview of the four areas ISA is focused on.
By Kevin “KJ” Johnson, Director of Government Relations & Strategy, Illinois Soybean Association
Learn about USDA's Soybean Germplasm Collection that is located at the University of Illinois.
By Ashley Rice-Haddon, ISA Content Manager
Relive the highlights of ISA’s 2025 Soybean Summit through photos that capture key moments, speakers and takeaways that made the event an essential experience.
By Olivia Key, Illinois Field & Bean Assistant Editor
TikTok sensation Jackson Laux, age 9, partners with John Deere to inspire agriculture's future.
By IL Field & Bean Team
Designed for both aspiring leaders and seasoned experts, ISA's LEAD Program provides tailored opportunities for growth, collaboration and impact
By Nicole Butler, ISA Executive Employee Relations
Read more about your Illinois Soybean Association's project highlights, program developments and what's ahead in the FY24 Year End Report.
By IL Field & Bean Team
Get to know John Reichman and his family, who have quietly played a pivotal role in advancing soybean research and production.
By IL Field & Bean Team
When Illinois farmer Tom Ritter tragically lost his life in a grain bin accident this August, his neighbors and friends didn’t hesitate to step in.
By IL Field & Bean Team
We're exploring the ways Illinois growers can maximize crop potential with next-generation biostimulants.
By Valent BioSciences
Join us for the 2026 Field Advisor Forum on Thursday, January 16, at the Atkins Golf Club at the University of Illinois in Urbana.
By Kelsey Litchfield, ISA Agronomic Outreach Manager/Editor, Field Advisor
ISA's new Agronomy Farm is a nearly 98-acre site designed to turn checkoff-funded research into practical, field-ready insights for Illinois farmers.
By Abigail Peterson, CCA, ISA Director of Agronomy
Illinois Soy Envoy Byron Hendrix, CCA, reviews how farmers can access financial support for conservation practices on their operations.
By Byron Hendrix, CCA, IL Soy Envoy
Meet Bean There, ISA's International Market Development blog that covers events, conferences, trade missions and farm visits to connect Illinois soy with industry representatives, key trade partners, global buyers and more.
By Emma Peters, ISA International Markets Coordinator
Illinois Field & Bean investigates how U.S. soy compares to its largest competitors, Brazil and Argentina, by examining key differences in sustainability, production, infrastructure, quality and price.
By Ashley Rice-Haddon, ISA Content Manager
As global soybean markets continue to shift, how can Illinois farmers stay competitive?
By IL Field & Bean Team
Illinois is the No. 1 producer of non-GMO, identity preserved and commodity soybeans in the U.S. Through a partnership with the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance, ISA ensures Illinois farmers continue to meet the rising global demand for specialty soy.
By Eileen Pabst, International Markets Manager, and Emma Peters, International Markets Coordinator
At SpringBoard 2025, growers, researchers and industry leaders came together to spark new uses for soybeans and unlock fresh market opportunities for the future.
By IL Field & Bean Team
Through the See for Yourself 2025 program, participants saw firsthand how checkoff investments open international doors for U.S. soy, supporting profit-ability back home.
By Johnathan Griffel, 2024 20 Under 40 Farmer
Learn how federal and Illinois laws—and coming changes in tax provisions—might affect a family’s ability to pass the farm to the next generation.
By Collin Cisco, ISA Farm Policy Manager
Illinois farmer and ISA Board Director Steve Pitstick expresses his concerns over the proposed Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).
By Steve Pitstick, Illinois Farmer and ISA Board Director
According to Collin Cisco, ISA Public Policy Manager, understanding the impact of upcoming tax changes—particularly the estate tax, Section 199A deductions and the stepped-up basis rule—is crucial for Illinois farmers who aim to safeguard their financial future and secure their ability to continue farming.
By Collin Cisco
Learn what ISG is doing to ensure American tax dollars are invested in domestic industries that use domestic feedstocks - such as Illinois-grown soybeans - to ensure our energy independence.
By David Kubik
Corey Lacey, Ph.D., ISA Environmental Policy Manager, answers readers' top questions and breaks down the EPA's final herbicide strategy.
By Corey Lacey
Discover the many ways the Illinois Soybean Association has spent the last 60 years advancing biofuels, infrastructure and waterways transportation, and critical agronomic research - and what soybean farmers can expect in the coming years.
By IL Field & Bean Team