Director Elections: District 7 candidates

June 1, 2023

Scot Bailey | Anita, Iowa (Incumbent)

Scot Bailey grows soybeans, corn and hay in Cass County. He also raises cows and sheep in a family corporation owned by him and his wife Cheryl, his parents, two sisters and aunt. They have farmed no-till for 30 years and strip-till for nine years. They also use variable rate for planting and fertilizer on all of their acres. The family continues to research economically sustainable ways to incorporate cover crops into their acres.

Bailey earned a Bachelor of Science in Ag Studies from Northwest Missouri State University. He has served as a director on the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) board and serves as ISA’s representative on the Soy Transportation Coalition board. He is a past president of the Cass County Cattlemen’s Association and director of Cass County’s ag and education committee.

Why are you interested in serving on the ISA board?

I want to continue serving on ISA’s board to further learn about where our checkoff dollars go and make sure they are spent wisely. I also want to improve the public perception of agriculture and how crops are grown while dispelling the myths of GMOs. I want to continue promoting soybeans and improve the protein content for consumers around the world.

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

With its ability to work in many areas from production to policy, ISA helps farmers make more money, improve the environment and educate the public on agricultural practices.

Mark Focht | Villisca, Iowa

Mark and his wife Michelle live north of Villisca where they grow soybeans and corn with their sons in Montgomery and Page counties. Mark started renting ground as a senior in high school and has farmed full time ever since.

He’s an advisory board member for Bank Iowa’s Clarinda region. He is also a past board member of the United Farmers Coop, and serves on local fire and EMS departments in Montgomery county, and on the county 911 board. He’s also been involved in community boards and county organizations.

Why are you interested in serving on the ISA board? 

I’m interested in serving on the ISA board to help be a spokesman to help promote the various uses of Iowa grown soybeans, not just in our state but all across the U.S. There is a great future for the expansion of our soybean products to the world.

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

We sometimes have to get away from all the politics that are limiting the way we can promote our products and look for new avenues to proceed to getting this done. There is a growing world out there that wants our products, and we need to be ready to deliver, when they are ready.

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