Bloomington, Ill. – February 20, 2023 – The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) hosted its annual Soy Latte Day in Springfield.
Staff and farmers served more than 150 soy lattes, which were enjoyed over conversations with more than 40 legislators discussing the many uses for soy.
“This annual event allows for educational discussions about soy between the actual farmers who produce it and state legislators who advocate for it,” says Brad Daugherty, ISA District 14 Director and Government Relations Committee Chair. “The relationships we’re building in Springfield are of utmost importance to us and the support of our elected officials is crucial when it comes to meeting the global demand for soy.”
While past event conversations centered around the use of soy in biofuels, this year’s event provided a natural platform to remind legislators that soy also helps feed the world, including their very own constituents across Illinois. Whether by meeting protein demands for human nutrition, animal feed, biofuel production, and more, Illinois farmers provided testimony of their dedication to growing a reliable, sustainable product for markets across global value chains.
“This was a perfect opportunity to remind policy-makers that soy from Illinois is a homegrown, renewable energy solution being sustainably-produced by local Illinois farmers using innovative conservation practices,” says Daugherty. “And that the 43,000 Illinois soybean farmers who deliver high-quality products year after year are driving the economy, growing new market opportunities around the world, and bringing dollars back to Illinois.”
ISA would like to extend a special thank you to Senator Patrick Joyce and Representative Norine Hammond for their hospitality during the event.
For more information about ISA’s Government Relations efforts, visit https://bit.ly/ilsoygovtrelations.
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development and utilization efforts while the membership program supports the government relations interests of Illinois soybean farmers at the local, state, and national level, through the Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG). ISA upholds the interests of Illinois soybean producers through promotion, advocacy, and education with the vision of becoming a market leader in sustainable soybean production and profitability. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org and www.ilsoygrowers.com.
