Executive Insights: The next 30 years begins with your vote

June 29, 2022 | Kirk Leeds

Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked. Leadership is defined by results, not attributes.” - Peter Drucker

Advancing progress on important issues takes leadership. Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) farmer leaders and staff embrace this philosophy.

It’s only fitting, therefore, that this edition of the Iowa Soybean Review combines ISA’s commitment to advancing environmental performance and outcomes with the introduction of candidates seeking election this summer to the association’s board of directors.

ISA’s commitment to tackling challenging (and sometimes thorny) issues directly results from the farmers who volunteer to serve as directors. That’s why a strong slate of candidates combined with your vote are so critical.

While issues like carbon sequestration, sustainability and environment, and social and corporate governance pledges seem relatively new in the grand scheme of public discourse, they’ve been top-of-mind for ISA’s farmer leaders for more than 30 years.

Farmers know that producing a quality, high-yielding soybean crop during increasingly volatile and extreme weather takes more effective land and cropping management. Along the way, they’ve gained knowledge and understanding of the complexities of working in a living and breathing ecosystem impacted not just by weather but also by public policy and regulatory schemes.

Meanwhile, consumers and the brands they support are newer to these topics. Yet, their awareness and calls for action are growing as administrations, media, talking heads, company executives and shareholders devote greater attention to reducing our collective environmental footprint.

ISA is motivated by the challenge. Your board has devoted considerable resources to advancing farmer-led activities benefiting water and soil health. A staff dedicated to spending time in the field has built the association’s knowledge and reputation as a go-to resource on many issues. They include reduced tillage, strip trials, pollinator habitat restoration, nutrient management, carbon sequestration outcomes and water quality, just to name a few.

Given who we serve, farmers are at the forefront of every conversation and the beneficiaries from outcomes achieved. That adds to the value proposition of every field trial and data point.

Farmers are motivated to serve as directors because they know we’re an association driven to deliver soybean production and environmental performance results. Get to know the candidates and cast your vote. Doing so will continue the momentum and progress for the next 30 years.

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