Illinois soybean growers, I hope this finds you well. As I step into my role as Director of Government Relations & Strategy with the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), I wanted to take a minute to introduce myself.

Transitions into new organizations can be tricky at times, but the strong foundation that is ISA has made it easy. There’s a good team here, strong relationships and a track record of showing up for Illinois soybean farmers. My focus is to build on this foundation and to stay focused on the issues that matter most to you.

Before coming to ISA, I spent several years working alongside many of you through the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association, and before that on Capitol Hill as an agriculture liaison. I also farm with my family in Champaign and Vermilion counties. I will use this experience to ensure the work we do in Springfield and Washington, connects back to the farm.

Government Relations is straightforward: stay engaged, stay focused, and make sure Illinois farmers are represented where decisions are being made.

There are four areas ISA will remain centered on.

First, we will continue to work closely with the ag family and our partners. We have strong relationships across agriculture, and that’s a good thing. Whether we are partnering with other commodity groups, industry partners or stakeholders across the value chain, we’re more effective when we’re working together.

Second, we will stay focused on issues that affect the farm economy. There’s no shortage of issues we could spend time on, but not all of them move the needle for farmers. We will be disciplined here. That means supporting biofuels and the demand they create, making sure you have access to crop protection tools and continuing to strengthen markets. If it doesn’t tie back to profitability, it’s not where we need to spend our time.

Third, we will hold a seat at the table for Illinois farmers. A lot of decisions that affect your operation are made in rooms you’re not in. Our job is to be in those rooms—bringing a practical, real-world perspective to the conversation. That means staying engaged early and often.

And fourth, we will be present and build relationships. This work comes down to relationships. We’re going to continue to be active in Springfield and in D.C., meeting with legislators, regulators and partners. When we show up consistently, it makes a difference. It gives Illinois farmers a stronger voice.

There’s a lot going on right now. In Springfield, we saw B20 tax credits expand in April, and in D.C., recent advancements in RVO decisions will help biofuels demand. However, at the same time we are seeing attacks on crop protection tools and pressure from unpredictable movements such as Make America Healthy Again (MAHA). These aren’t abstract issues; they directly impact our farm operations and our ability to plan ahead.

What gives me confidence is the advanced work our team has already put in and the support from the farmers we represent. We will be disciplined, focused and ready to take on whatever challenge arrives that threatens our family and farm profitability.

As always, if you have questions or want to share what you’re seeing on your farm, don’t hesitate to reach out. That feedback matters and helps guide where we spend our time.

I look forward to working with you.