The Illinois Soybean Association LEAD Program empowers emerging and experienced agricultural leaders with opportunities to grow their knowledge, strengthen their leadership skills, and expand their impact on Illinois agriculture.
Through hands-on learning and industry engagement, participants gain a deeper understanding of the soybean supply chain, the value of the soy checkoff, and how to inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Current Participants
LEAD Program participants are organized into pathways that provide tailored opportunities for growth, engagement, and leadership development at every stage of their journey.
Landon Larkin
Contributor
I’m a 6th-generation family farmer from Earlville, Illinois, where my dad and I raise corn and soybeans. After graduating college, I moved home to work on the farm and began working with Farmland Stock Exchange, a company working to help keep rural American values alive, by allowing family farms to expand and retain their operations.
Harrison Albright
Influencer
Harrison Albright joined Miller Hybrids in June after relocating from Kentucky to begin his career in seed sales. Originally from Naperville, Illinois, Harrison did not come from a farming background but developed an early interest in agriculture. He aspires to become a first-generation farmer and is passionate about promoting Illinois agriculture both domestically and internationally through Illinois soy.
Harrison graduated cum laude from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Crop & Soil Science and a minor in Agricultural Economics. During his time there, he served as Vice President and later President of the Agricultural Student Council and represented the university as the Agricultural Future of America Ambassador from 2023–2024.
Blake Edwards
Influencer
Blake Edwards is a corn and soybean farmer from Lexington, Ill. He is a 2025 20 Under 40 Farmer award winner and has been involved in numerous ag sectors throughout his career.
Klayton Hanrahan
Influencer
My name is Klayton Hanrahan, and I am currently a Sales Representative for Syngenta’s Golden Harvest brand in Northeast Illinois. My passion for agriculture was cultivated growing up in the Columbia Basin of Washington State, surrounded by irrigated agriculture and heavily involved in FFA. I then attended the University of Idaho for a degree in Agricultural Economics with a focus on Commodity Risk Management. While in college I began my career working in crop research and development, starting with the USDA before taking on a role with Syngenta’s Vegetable Product Development and Sales team.
Tyler Roth
Influencer
I grew up on a corn and soybean farm in northern Piatt County. My father and grandfather farmed together, and I followed them around everywhere, learning everything I could about farm operations. I currently reside in rural Bloomington. My brother and I still help our dad on the farm whenever we can. I graduated from Illinois State University, majoring in Ag Business and Agricultural Industry Management. After graduation, I worked for Illini FS in Tolono as a Crops Specialist, earning my CCA in 2010. I gained very valuable retail and agronomy experience in this role. Since 2012, I have been employed as a Farm Manager and Real Estate Broker at First Mid Ag Services (Soy Capital) in Decatur and Bloomington. I enjoy collaborating with landowners to meet their land ownership goals. I work with farm tenants on all decisions involving the farm, market grain and keep records for landowners, advise on capital projects, and market farm real estate. My wife and I are in a unique position as every side of our family have been farmers in Central Illinois for generations. We are very proud of our agricultural background, and I am passionate about instilling the values of farm life in our sons and local community.
Jay Kindred
Impact Leader
Jay Kindred produces corn and soybeans with his parents on their farm in Atlanta, Illinois. Jay and his wife, Ashley, have three dogs. Off the farm, he enjoys watching college basketball and playing golf.
Jay worked in the crop insurance industry for 7 years and returned to the farm full-time 11 years ago. His dad, Ron, has been active on soybean boards for the past 26 years, and he’s excited to learn how to become a better grower, advocate and problem solver for the soybean industry.
Zhanyou Xu
Impact Leader
Zhanyou Xu is the Research Leader at the USDA-ARS for the National Soybean Germplasm GenBank and has over 20 years of experience as a soybean breeder. He holds dual Ph.D. degrees in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology from Iowa State University and Genetics and Breeding from China Agricultural University. Dr. Xu has industry experience from Syngenta and Monsanto. His research focuses on legume breeding, genomic selection, machine learning, and deep learning applications in plant genetics.
Jonathan Griffel
Mentor
Jon Griffel is a sixth-generation family farmer from Macoupin County. He farms alongside his dad, raising soybeans, corn, wheat, and a beef cattle herd, in addition to working as a real estate broker. He resides on the farm with his wife, Kristin, and their two children, Jamie and Claire.
Jon grew up on the family farm and returned to work with his dad eight years ago, continuing the family legacy as the sixth generation. He raises corn, soybeans, wheat, and beef cattle, and has become heavily involved in advocating for agriculture. He currently serves on the Illinois Farm Bureau State Young Leader Committee after serving three years as chair of his county Young Leaders and completing the ALOT program through Illinois Farm Bureau. In 2024, Jon was honored to serve as an Illinois Farm Families Ambassador, highlighting life on the farm through social media and consumer interactions. That same year, he was incredibly honored and humbled to be named an Illinois Soybean Association “20 Under 40” winner.
Vikkie Becker
Advisor
Vikkie Becker, a dedicated advocate for agriculture, resides in Alexander, Illinois. She is a member of Illinois Agri-Women (IAW) and American Agri-Women (AAW) and serves as a 2025 Illinois Farm Families Ambassador (IFF). Additionally, she graduated from the 2024 AAW Road to Influence Leadership Program and is a cohort member of the February 2025 Leadership At Its Best program, put on by Syngenta. She also serves on the Morgan County Fair Swine Committee. Vikkie looks forward to walking alongside everyone as they LEAD those who walk with them.
Lin Warfel
Legacy
Lin Warfel recently retired from farming, but he and his wife, Kay, still live on their centennial farm (1882). In addition to farming for 60 years, he has 50 years of experience with ag policy and 45 years in education administration. Lin has served two Governors on their P-20 Advisory Committee and completed a major study on ‘Creativity and innovation in education and business. Lin and Kay have five children and six grandchildren.
Daryl Cates
Legacy
I started in the mid 1980’s on IL Soybean Program Operating Board for 6 years and was on executive committee 5 of the 6 an officer 4 of the 6. I was then elected to the first United Soybean Board and helped with the setup of that board and was only on it one year. Before we had the USB board there was the American Soybean Development Foundation Board which funded ASA from state associations. I was on it for 4 years. Then in 2013 I started on the ISA board. Did 6 years and was on EC for 4 of 6 years and was Chairman for 2 of those years. Then was elected to ASA board and I am in my 7th year of 9. I was on EC 5 years and held the office of Secretary, Vice President, President and Chairman. I have also been farming now for 43 years.
Stan Born
Legacy
Participant Testimonials
If you’re considering LEAD—take the leap. This program will open doors, elevate your voice, and push you to grow in ways your everyday routine never could. Step forward, get involved, and let yourself be part of something bigger. The soybean community needs passionate leaders, and your journey can start here.