An extracurricular education

August 1, 2024 | Kriss Nelson

During his freshman year of college, Jack Opheim stepped out of the classroom for an opportunity to expand upon his agricultural studies.

Opheim was a 2023/2024 Iowa Soybean Association Soy Squad member.

“Soy Squad is a unique opportunity for college-aged students interested in or studying agriculture to plug into a commodity organization, specifically the Iowa Soybean Association,” says Julia Brenizer, Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) Producer Services coordinator and manager of Soy Squad. “They have the chance to learn about the Iowa Soybean Association, the soy checkoff and how checkoff dollars are invested to benefit farmers.”

Opheim, from Humboldt, is attending Iowa Central Community College. He plans to attend Iowa State University to finish his degree in ag business.

“I saw the opportunity to apply for Soy Squad and thought it would be a good addition to my resume and help me gain some experience in the ag industry outside of college,” says Opheim.

This year’s Soy Squad met for three, two-day sessions throughout the school year.

In November, the students were introduced to the ISA and the soybean checkoff program.

During the session, students learned about the specific efforts of ISA. This included information about on-farm research trials, ISA’s involvement in the renewable fuels industry, the organization of various programs and meetings, and how ISA communicates with farmers.

ISA organized an etiquette dinner to teach students professional presentation skills, including job interview etiquette.

The first session ended with a Bayer Crop Science Research Facility tour in Ankeny.

For the second session, students joined other ISA members at the ISA’s Farm Forward event in Des Moines. They also attended ISA’s legislative reception and met several Iowa legislators. The next day, they sat down with current and past ISA directors during a leadership breakfast.

“The directors shared their experiences on the ISA board and the tips that have helped shape their leadership skills,” says Brenizer.

The group toured the Iowa Capitol and met Grant Menke, the Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. They also learned about the Iowa Soybean Association’s policy initiatives from ISA Chief Officer of Demand and Advocacy Matt Herman.

The last meeting of the Soy Squad group included a stop on a farm, learning about an ISA trial involving water drainage recycling. The visit demonstrated the value of being involved in ISA trials, which provide real results back to farmers. The group also visited Ag Leader Technology in Ames and John Deere Des Moines Works in Ankeny.

Soybean farmers don’t just grow soy for the beans, they also grow feed and fuel. During a discussion with ISA Senior Director of Operations Easton Kuboushek, participants learned about the opportunity for soy in fish diets through the Soy Aquaculture Alliance. Kuboushek also shared his experience of being a Nuffield International Farmer Scholar.

ISA organized a workshop that gave the students tips and techniques for communicating effectively during job interviews, internships and in professional settings.

“Giving students the opportunities to personally and professionally grow is an important piece of the Soy Squad program,” says Brenizer.

Afterward, the group toured Syngenta’s Parent Seed Production Facility in Slater. The day concluded with a discussion about grain transportation with Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek.

“I was impressed. It was a great overall experience,” says Opheim. “All three sessions were well-organized, well-thought out and featured real-world subjects. It was interesting to gain more insight into agriculture and how it connects to the soybean industry.”

He appreciated the tours, activities and the opportunity to learn about how the Iowa Soybean Association operates. He also gained a better understanding of the checkoff system, the inner workings of the association and how they all work together to serve farmers, and various components of the soybean industry.

As a member of Soy Squad, Opheim found value in networking — both with other students and ag industry professionals.

“I have kept in touch with quite a few fellow Soy Squad members,” he says. “We really bonded. It was a great group.”

Opheim encourages others to apply.

“It’s a lot of fun; I one hundred percent recommend it,” Opheim says. “You’ll get to meet new people and interact with employees at the Iowa Soybean Association. In each session, you learn about different aspects of the industry that will have a significant impact on you. It will strengthen your understanding of what agriculture is.”

Soy Squad was Opheim’s first step in engaging with ISA.

“I can see myself working with the association in some capacity someday,” he says. “I want to be able to do my share and help out with an organization that has such an impact on the industry, helping farmers and agribusinesses.”

The Soy Squad program accepts applications from individuals currently enrolled in a two or four-year college or university and pursuing a major in agriculture or a related field. Young agriculture professionals between the ages of 18 and 22 are also welcome to apply. Students must be able to attend the scheduled meetings.

For more information, contact Julia Brenizer at jbrenizer@iasoybeans.com or 815-878-5622. You can also visit the Iowa Soybean Association’s Soy Squad webpage at iasoybeans.com/programs/soy-squad.

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