As the Illinois Soybean Association looks to the future, it is clear that the strength of the industry depends on more than policy, markets, and research alone. The foundation is built on the soybean growers who stay engaged in shaping its direction and leading it forward.

An Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) membership can bring a great deal of value back to your farm. That value is perhaps best understood from the members themselves. ISG members Dirk Rice, Dan Kelley, Vince Reincke, Ron Moore, and Lin Warfel shared the different ways an ISG membership has benefited them and their farms, pointing primarily to three themes: stronger representation, broader farmer connections and perspectives, and practical savings that can support the farm’s bottom line.

Illinois farmers face a multitude of issues that can impact their operations. From regulations affecting daily production practices to crop insurance, trade, biofuels, and infrastructure, farmers are forced to adapt to decisions made miles from the farm, and often without a producer in the room. While farmers have always had to manage uncertainty, today’s high input costs and tight margins leave little room for error.

An ISG membership can help farmers navigate these difficulties by connecting them with people and resources that can make a difference for their farms and the soybean industry. Through farmer connections, advocacy, continued learning, and exposure to new perspectives, an ISG membership provides support that can extend well beyond the cost of dues.

For many members, the most highly valued aspect of an ISG membership is representation. As individuals, farmers can only do so much to make their voice heard. They cannot manage their farm and be present in Springfield and Washington, D.C., every time decisions affecting them are being made. ISG gives members a collective voice and works to ensure their perspective is represented with lawmakers, regulators, agency officials, and other decision makers whose work shapes agriculture.

For longtime member Dirk Rice, the collective power of ISG has been highly valuable throughout his more than 40-year farming career. Rice recalls first joining when the organization was the Land of Lincoln Soybean Association, and while the name has evolved, the need for farmer representation has not.

“I always saw a tremendous value in farmers working together to develop new markets and support beneficial research and work for good legislation and against bad legislation and regulations,” Rice said.

That collective voice is then carried into conversations with lawmakers where ISG membership dollars ensure producers are represented early and often in the policymaking process.

ISG member Dan Kelley cites that representation as an integral part of his membership. “We as growers need to speak with one voice,” Kelley said. “IL Soy has a great track record of representing growers in Springfield and DC.” That grower representation is essential, particularly when current legislation has the potential to greatly impact a farm’s future earnings. For Kelley, his membership dues are a direct way to support that work. “I see my dues as an investment in our future.”

That investment is essential to sustaining Illinois Soybean Association’s legislative advocacy. While the soybean checkoff provides funding for research, education, and other industry programs, those dollars cannot be allocated for lobbying. Illinois Soybean Growers membership dues support the advocacy done on behalf of Illinois soybean farmers.

ISG member Vince Reincke notes that distinction as a primary benefit of his membership. He said, “The Soybean Checkoff does a wonderful job of funding research to further demand for the soybeans we produce, but none of those resources can be used to educate our public servants in Washington, D.C. or Springfield about how the policies and laws they consider/enact will impact the production of soybeans and other farm products.  Without the Illinois Soybean Association and the American Soybean Association memberships funding these lawmaker educational activities, our voice goes unheard.”

Ron Moore also identifies representation as a significant part of his membership. “Having ISA be a voice in Springfield and D.C. is extremely important,” Moore said.

ISG members identified benefits beyond advocacy. Being a member presents opportunities to connect with farmers from across the state, share operational experiences and concerns with others, and identify which issues matter most to individual soybean farmers and the industry as a whole.

Rice sees this diversity of perspective as another positive of his membership. “Having a board that represents the whole state is very valuable. We all have different issues and concerns, and it is important to have all those voices at the table.”

For Ron Moore, those connections have been particularly worthwhile. “The information I have gained from other farmers across Illinois and the country has been invaluable,” he said. “I learned about farming practices I never would have had a chance to see if I wasn’t a member.”

ISG member Lin Warfel credits that exposure for his interest in the soybean industry. Being an ISG member has shifted Warfel’s perspective as a grower. “I jumped right into seed corn production right out of college so I really only used soybeans to boost seed corn production,” Warfel said. “But soybeans steadily grew more popular and more profitable. Then Illinois became number one in soybeans! From just a dues-paying member I became keenly interested in soybeans!”

Warfel’s interest has continued to grow along with his involvement. He points to opportunities to learn about the new uses for soybeans, international market developments, and the collaboration with other soybean farmers as being among his most valued aspects of being a member.

ISG memberships don’t only bring value through collaboration and exposure. In a time when margins are tight, an ISG membership can also offer discounts and partnerships that help farmers cut costs on products and equipment they may already be using across their operations.  Dan Kelley noted, “Most importantly, they are working to improve our farm income.”

Through a partnership with AGI, eligible ISG members have access to discounts and rebates on equipment used across their operations, including grain bins, dryers, portable handling equipment, and grain management technology. Three-year members can also receive a 20 percent MSRP discount on AGI BinManager equipment.

As the experiences of these members demonstrate, the value of an ISG membership is not tied to a single benefit. It is the combination of advocacy, connection, and practical savings. For farmers considering an ISG membership, current members make a clear recommendation: get involved and see firsthand what a membership can do for you and your farming operation.

Kelley encourages growers to think of their dues as a commitment to their farm’s future. “IL Soy is working to improve our farm income. Some of that is trade and technology, but it also is being sure that policies and regulations from what may be well-intentioned sources are not detrimental to soybean production and farm income.”

Rice offers a similar message to farmers who have not yet joined. “There are simply too few of us for us not to unite to try to defend our way of life from all the forces that are working against us. I have seen firsthand how different ag organizations, commodity and otherwise, have different areas of strength and focus and belonging to just one organization leaves us as farmers vulnerable in too many areas.”

Reincke also points to the importance of making sure farmer priorities are heard. “Now more than ever it is imperative that our elected officials hear our voices as we convey the priorities for our industry to not just survive in the future but instead thrive as we move forward.”

Moore’s advice to farmers considering a membership is simple and direct. “Take advantage of all the meetings and programs ISA provides,” Moore said. “You will meet some of the best farmers in Illinois. Working together with other like-minded farmers can achieve great things for soybean farmers in Illinois.”

Make your voice heard, connect with other growers, and see what ISG can bring back to your farm.  Learn more about becoming an ISG member at ilsoy.org.