Director Elections: District 5 candidates

June 1, 2023

Corey Goodhue | Carlisle, Iowa

Corey Goodhue grows soybeans, corn, green freezer-pack peas, potatoes, rye, trees and wine grapes on his family’s farm near Carlisle.

A fourth-generation farmer, Goodhue earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from Iowa State University. He’s served as the secretary of the Agriland FS board of directors and as the vice president of its foundation committee. He also serves on the board of directors for Growmark.

Why are you interested in serving on the ISA board?

I am excited about the opportunity to represent my neighbors and soybean growers in Iowa. ISA has amazing opportunities to expand our markets by growing relationships and conducting research to improve our environmental footprint and increase our yields. I am excited about ISA’s work and would like to contribute in any way I can.

What's the biggest issue facing Iowa soybean farmers right now, and how can the board address it?

Narrowing it down to one issue is very difficult. I see the challenges we face with global trade that are very difficult to address as an individual. ISA’s board can have a much greater impact for all growers in expanding trade relationships.

Patrick Murken | Story City, Iowa

Patrick Murken is a fifth-generation farmer near Story City. He grows soybeans, corn and cover crops. He also has some land in the Conservation Reserve Program. His goal: To produce the highest-yielding crops possible using resources that also allow him to receive the highest net income from that same crop.

Murken earned a technical degree from Des Moines Area Community College, a Bachelor of Science from the University of Northern Iowa and master’s from the University of Phoenix. He also completed additional master’s course work at Iowa State University.

He spent 45 years working two careers — one at John Deere and the second farming. Murken is involved in his church, local USDA office and Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Communications Squad. He was a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines, where he taught sugar cane farmers how to grow soybeans as an alternate crop.

Why are you interested in serving on the ISA board?

I believe I can make a positive difference regarding the public’s view of agriculture and genetic modification of both crops and seeds. I also believe soybeans can help feed the world, and I think soybeans are a great source of protein.

What's the biggest issue facing Iowa soybean farmers right now, and how can the board address it? 

U.S. farmers face significant process and technology changes to produce soybeans at a competitive price point, which allows our soybeans to be desirable in the world market.

Scott Neff | Beaman, Iowa

Scott Neff raises soybeans, corn and seed corn with his wife Mary Beth and his brother and sister-in-law in Marshall and Grundy counties. They have been exclusively no-till and strip till farmers since 1992. Cover crops are incorporated on all of their acres.

Neff graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in agricultural business. He’s served in leadership positions on the local school board, Rotary club, county Farm Bureau, his church, chamber of commerce and United Way. The family received the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award in 2020. Scott and Mary Beth are in the process of handing the day-to-day operations over to their three sons.

Why are you interested in serving on the ISA board?

I have always believed in giving back. After an almost 40-year career as an agricultural banker, the perspectives I have gained from a diverse group of top agricultural producers puts me in a unique position to contribute to the organization. I also have the benefit of being an active farmer for the last 30 years.

What's the biggest issue facing Iowa soybean farmers right now, and how can the board address it?

The most important issue for soybean farmers today is to be an active participant in decisions that have a long-term impact on our operations. Regulations centered around climate change, herbicide use, conservation practices, genetic engineering and trade are all on the list. These issues can be addressed by being well-informed on these issues and assertive about producers' views on these topics with various decision-makers.

---

Back