Iowa Soybean Review | July 2022 by Iowa Soybean Association

July 2022

Membership Matters

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 1

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Executive Committee President Robb Ewoldt, Davenport | D6 President Elect Randy Miller, Lacona | D8 Treasurer Dave Walton, Wilton | D6

July 2022 | Vol. 34, No. 9

Secretary Suzanne Shirbroun, Farmersburg | D3 At-Large Director Jeff Frank, Auburn | D4

Iowa Soybean Review is published monthly by: Iowa Soybean Association 1255 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny, Iowa 50023 (515) 251-8640 | iasoybeans.com E-mail: bbaratta@iasoybeans.com For advertising information in the Iowa Soybean Review, please contact Bethany Baratta at (515) 334-1020 or bbaratta@iasoybeans.com. Comments and statewide news articles should be sent to the above address. Advertising space reservations must be made by the first day of the month preceding publication. In consideration of the acceptance of the advertisement, the agency and the advertiser must, in respect of the contents of the advertisement, indemnify and save the publisher harmless against any expense arising from claims or actions against the publisher because of the publication of the content of the advertisement.

8 Find Your Fit

From Soy Squad to the board of directors, there’s a place for you within ISA.

10 Faces of ISA membership

Members reflect on their farm and ISA journeys.

22 Soy Snaps Enjoy

the sights f rom around Iowa through ISA Photographer Joclyn Bushman’s lens.

28 Remembering ‘NoTil Tom’

ISA leaders share memories of a soy leader. On the Cover: Tony and Aarika Schwarck with their children, Annalee and Axton on their farm near Riceville. Connecting with other farmers through ISA’s District Advisory Council broadened their view of ISA and Iowa agriculture. Learn more about this farm family on Page 11. IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 3

Executive Insights Kirk Leeds, ISA Chief Executive Off icer kleeds@iasoybeans.com

Interact with ISA and Thrive

umans thrive on interaction. Instinctively, we know it. Studies and two-plus years of navigating through a pandemic prove it. One of the most difficult and heartbreaking impacts of COVID-19 was the shuttering of family and friends and the displacement of co-workers. People became increasingly agitated and depressed as offices and schools closed, events were canceled and trips were postponed. As a past Boone School Board member, my heart especially broke for youth who missed months of inclassroom instruction and peer engagement. The World Economic Forum reports that school closures worsened children’s health and safety and estimates their lifetime earnings will be reduced by an estimated $17 trillion. Isolation is harmful. Communicating with others through screens and windows is a poor substitute for handshakes, hugs and faceto-face interaction. It’s little

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wonder, therefore, that travel, meetings and wedding, birthday and anniversary attendance has roared back as the pandemic wanes. Those of us involved in agriculture thrive on engagement and a sense of belonging. A recent meeting of state and national soybean staff in Savannah, Georgia, and the U.S. Soybean Export Council’s trade summit in Barcelona, Spain, drew record attendance. The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) places a premium on facilitating interaction with the farmers and customers we serve. Our nationally recognized research and demand-building activities thrive on nurturing relationships – from participation in on-farm production trials and field days to embarking on trade missions to China, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Thailand, Egypt and Pakistan (to name just a few). More recently, our Innovation to Profit Conference in February garnered strong attendance and positive feedback.

ISA is devoting increased time and attention to growing our farmer (checkoff) and advocate (non-checkoff) membership and engagement through District Advisory Councils. And we’ve launched new and expanded programs, including the Communications Squad, Soy Squad and Policy Leaders Fellowship (the latter in cooperation with the Missouri Soybean Association). ISA’s District Summer Meetings are also attracting large crowds. This edition of the Iowa Soybean Review highlights the value of belonging and opportunities to get involved with ISA (for a complete calendar of events, click on “Events” at iasoybeans.com). The timing is ideal as I sense a renewed need and desire to reengage. Perhaps now is the right time for you to get more involved in an industry that matters so much, both at home and abroad. Interact with ISA and thrive!

Policy Update Megan Decker, ISA Public Affairs Intern mdecker@iasoybeans.com

Strength in Numbers

et grass, early mornings and 3.1 miles. There is no shortage of life lessons in the sport of cross-country. Unlike most sports, each team member participates, regardless of their speed or experience. Some parts of the sport are fun, like the dinner following a race with teammates. Other aspects, like the actual race, are much less enjoyable. Farming also comes with a set of challenges and occasional wins. Endurance is Key Much like working in the state and national policy arenas, endurance is what makes a successful race. When you feel like you are leading the “race,” a sense of humility keeps you in check. When policies favorable for agriculture are passed, we feel victorious. However, we know that uncertainty and obstacles often lie ahead, so we must stay on course, fit and ready to respond. Because of the nature of cross-country, a strong sense of community is formed with teammates. Being an ISA Advocate is much the same. Strength in numbers provides

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unity, a broader perspective and greater wisdom to those making decisions at the state and federal levels. Delivering Results The 2022 legislative session was successful due to teamwork from farmers, stakeholders and commodity groups with the passing of the governor’s historic Biofuels Access Bill. While encouraging the sale of higher biodiesel blends through an incentive-based approach, this farmer-led legislation shows the importance of collaboration for a better future. As Michael Dolch mentioned last month, a $1 million appropriation will update the maximum return to nitrogen (MRTN) modeling for fertilizer management. Continued research will modernize nitrogen fertilizer recommendtions for corn-soy production in cropping systems in Iowa. Join the Roster This month’s edition of the Iowa Soybean Review highlights how members are the true MVPs when it comes to championing farmer-friendly

policies. Checkoff dollars cannot be used for lobbying or legislative efforts; therefore, money generated through ISA Advocate membership is essential in ensuring that staff time, travel and other efforts are dedicated to positively influencing farmerfriendly policy. In exchange for your investment, you won’t simply be a spectator to ISA’s work. You’ll be a critical member of the team with the ability to utilize our grassroots platform in order to simplify contacting your legislators and voicing support for significant issues impacting soybean farmers. You will also be among the first to know about ISA’s work on the state and federal levels. Add your name to the growing list of nearly 1,700 ISA Advocate members. Becoming an Advocate Member means that you are not running the race alone. After all, there is no “I” in team.

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See Yourself as a Member The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) is your organization, founded and led by farmers just like you! When you join ISA, you choose how engaged you want to be. From receiving topic-specific information to presiding over a 22-farmer board of directors, your journey is entirely up to you.

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The Iowa Soybean Association is a family of soybean farmers “Driven To Deliver” and strengthened by a common cause — to help farmers produce and sell more soybeans at a competitive price. We deliver opportunities to you, our members, to help you make the most of your membership — and your checkoff investment. Our programs connect you with fellow farmers, develop and hone your leadership skills, provide the latest industry information and help you see yourself in places you never thought possible. Turn the page to learn how farmers are engaging in these ISA programs and opportunities.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 9

DISTRICT 1

Brent Wells

arming is more than a career for Fonda farmer Brent Wells; it’s an avocation. A farm kid growing up, Wells took off for Iowa State University to study agriculture. He followed graduation with a stint at a seed and chemical company in Minneapolis. But the desire to dig into the rich black soil of Pocahontas County called him home. “I moved back to work on the family farm,” he says. “I love growing crops and taking care of what you plant; harvesting is my favorite.” While he shares responsibility with his father, two uncles and cousins on the entire Wells farming operation, he specifically oversees 900 acres of soybeans and corn.

Seeing is Believing In 2020, Wells participated in the Iowa Soybean Association’s Experience Class, which offers participants insight

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BY JEFF HUTTON

on a variety of issues, networking opportunities and more. “I think the biggest thing that I took away from the class was just how involved the Iowa Soybean Association is with trade and policy, working with legislators and helping with infrastructure,” he says. That knowledge base and his desire to succeed solidified Wells’ decision to stay on the farm.

A Way of Life For him, farming is not about turning over the soil and working the land to produce a good crop. “It’s a way of life,” he says. “It teaches my three kids about hard work, responsibility and accountability.” And farming is a good primer for life’s unexpected challenges. “It teaches you about being prepared for anything; what obstacles there are and getting through adversity,” he says.

When working in Minneapolis, Wells observed a co-worker who viewed his career as “just a job.” “I couldn’t imagine having a job without a connection to agriculture. Right then, that was my ‘ah-ha’ moment.” Being back on the farm for the past eight years, Wells is thankful he can spend time with his family. “I’m grateful that I can raise my kids on the farm. They can see me riding on the tractor or the combine and spend time with me,” he says. And as to the challenging work and the “number of hats” a farmer must wear, Wells says he cannot imagine life any differently. “From selling crops and watching those markets, buying chemicals and fertilizer, being a mechanic or understanding the science, there’s no other industry like farming,” he adds. Contact Jeff Hutton at jhutton@iasoybeans.com.

DISTRICT 2

Tony Schwarck BY KRISS NELSON

n eye-opening experience,” is how Tony Schwarck, an Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) farmermember describes his participation on ISA’s District Advisory Council (DAC). DAC consists of Iowa soybean farmer-leaders and industry professionals who provide input and insight to the ISA board and staff while engaging in various program activities designed to promote the soy industry. Schwarck and his wife Aarika grow soybeans and corn on their farm near Riceville in Mitchell County. “We work alongside family members,” Schwarck says. “Whether it is my brother, dad or grandpa, we are all involved in the family farm.” Within the past 10 years, the Schwarcks have also started raising cattle to diversify their operation. Conservation minded, they have

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installed buffer strips and utilize cover crops along with their corn and soybean rotation. The sensitive areas of their farm ground have also been enrolled in CRP and watershed programs. An added benefit to these conservation practices? They are leaving habitats for wildlife. Something Schwarck says his grandfather also is passionate about doing.

The Time is Now When asked to serve as a District 2 delegate for DAC, Schwarck says he decided it was time to become involved and help tell agriculture’s story. “The time is now,” he says. “Agriculture is at a pivotal point; we need to tell our story, and we need associations like the Iowa Soybean Association. We have to let people

know we protect our soils and water and do our best to feed the world. What farmers are doing is truly amazing.” Schwarck encourages others to join ISA, noting how membership has opened doors to other opportunities. “Without that membership, we might not have opened this door,” he says. Being involved has also given Schwarck a front-row seat into some behind-the-scenes workings of ISA. “It’s been an eye-opening experience when you sit through some of those sessions to see what the Iowa Soybean Association is doing,” he says. “That’s another reason to get involved. So you can see what is going on.” Contact Kriss Nelson at knelson@iasoybeans.com.

The time is now. Agriculture is at a pivotal point; we need to tell our story, and we need associations like the Iowa Soybean Association. - Tony Schwarck, ISA farmer member

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Annalee, Tony, Axton and Aarika on the family’s farm near Riceville.

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DISTRICT 3

Mason Riehle BY JOSEPH HOPPER

arming is more than planting and harvesting — the farm itself changes, being refined and improved each season. Mason Riehle, a newcomer to the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), has developed his family farming operation from scratch starting in 2010.

The Simple Life Living what he calls “the simple life,” growing soybeans, corn, alfalfa and beef cattle, the farm is about 30 minutes from where he grew up. “I’ve been involved in farming my whole life,” Riehle says. “My family homesteaded in Iowa when it became a state. It’s definitely in the blood, that’s for sure. I married my wife Missy in 2009; we moved to Castalia and started farming on our own, building it to what it is today.” Riehle also started a fertilizer and

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agronomy service a few years ago, explaining once he found a product he was excited about, it was an easy fit to help others grow high-yielding corn and soybeans. It also led him on a crash course to ISA membership after receiving an ISA postcard. “I just replied to the number on the postcard, and when I got a response back it wasn’t just a number for corporate, it was a local person, (former ISA Producer Services Coordinator) Whitley Frieden,” Riehle says.

For the Farmers The northeast Iowa farmer also serves as an ISA District Advisory Council (DAC) member. Through DAC, he’s learned how ISA plays an important role for Iowa’s soybean farmers. “A lot of farmers are busy out in the fields growing the crop; we don’t have

time to do things like find new ways to use soybeans,” Riehle says. “That’s why I really believe in organizations like ISA to get the word out and do that for us while we’re out there growing.”

Next Big Thing Like many farmers, as Riehle looks to the future, he’s excited to get close to the next big, groundbreaking thing in agriculture. “Shooting for high yields is the most exciting thing for me,” Riehle says. “I think we’re on the cutting edge of new technologies and cropping systems that will increase yields and everyone’s going to make more money. Along with ISA, they’re going to find more uses and, in turn, help us be more profitable too.” Contact Joseph Hopper at jhopper@iasoybeans.com.

DISTRICT 4

Gary Langbein BY KRISS NELSON

truggles from generations preceding him have given Gary Langbein a greater appreciation for preserving his family’s farming legacy. As a fourth-generation farmer, Langbein worked to save money to buy his first 160 acres after graduating college. He has been actively farming ever since. “I wanted to buy a pickup, and my dad said no. I was offered to buy the 160 acres privately, which was a huge kickstart for me,” he says. Langbein worked as a mechanic to help supplement his farming income and raised pigs until 2017. He farms nearly 1,000 acres of soybeans, corn, hay and pasture ground and raises 40 cow-calf pairs. Conservation is a large part of Langbein’s farm management practices, including no-till and vertical till, and he has installed sediment basins, terraces and buffer strips.

Diving in In 2021, Langbein joined the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Experience Class – a program for ISA farmer-members that delves into ISA’s four program areas: supply, demand, information and education, and policy. “The Experience Class is the outside looking into ISA,” he says. “It was neat to learn how ISA policy development and education work so the general public can understand and to build trust.” During his tenure with the Experience Class, Langbein witnessed a bill signing during a visit to the state capitol. A highlight of the program was a tour of the Mississippi River’s lock and dam system. Langbein also appreciates the networking opportunities. “I made a lot of good contacts with other farmers,” he says. “Those are people you can reach out and talk to.” Langbein’s three adult children,

Nicole, Brandon and Joe, are involved in agriculture and help on the family farm. Langbein feels he leads by example through his involvement with ISA and other agricultural groups. “Every time I come home from a meeting, they inquire,” he says. “My involvement sparks their interests. They are the next generation. In 10 to 15 years, I plan to turn the farm over to one or possibly all three of them.” What advice does Langbein give to other ISA farmer-members? “It’s always nice to have the opportunity to see how your checkoff dollars work and what they are used for,” he says. “People need to get involved and tell their story. If we are not telling our story, somebody else is.” Contact Kriss Nelson at knelson@iasoybeans.com

Gary Langbein examines fields with his daughter and son-in-law, Nicole and Tim Cohoon, near Sac City.

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DISTRICT 5

Spencer Collins BY JEFF HUTTON

arming is more than an occupation – it’s a calling. And for Spencer Collins, that calling is what feeds his soul. “I grew up on a row crop and cow-calf farm outside Adel. And ever since I was a young kid, it’s just how I envisioned my life. There’s nothing else I’d rather do,” he says. Having just finished his junior year in agriculture studies at Iowa State University, Collins will return to Ames in August. A member of the Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) fraternity, Collins has gained valuable insight from other farm students during his time at Iowa State and hands-on experience through internships with Heartland Cooperative and Syngenta. “Between those two summers, I learned so much. I met many connections throughout the industry who have helped me,” he says. “And AGR has been a great experience for me. I have met a ton of people and

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made some connections; some are my best friends that will last forever.” Those internships and time spent with his fraternity brothers have helped solidify Collins’ desire to make his life on the farm. “A passion for agriculture started with my grandpa, was passed through my dad and now to me,” Collins says. “There’s nothing like being able to watch things grow or raising a baby calf to market.” Valuable Insight Collins has also gained insight from the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and participating in its Soy Squad program. Most interesting for Collins was the knowledge he gained about the work that goes into lobbying and developing ag policies to benefit Iowa farmers. “As farmers, we take much of this work for granted. Being on the

Soy Squad really opened up my eyes about how lucky we are to have such good organizations, including ISA and the Iowa Corn Growers Association, fighting for us in getting better markets and legislation.” A Way of Life Although he’s not overlooking the importance of his upcoming senior year at ISU, Collins is ready to get back to work on the Dallas County soil, despite the always turbulent nature of farming. “It’ll be a challenge, but the kind of a challenge I’m ready to take on,” he says. “There will be hardships and struggles, just like anything in life. But I will buckle down and embrace it. “For me, farming has never really felt like a job; it’s just more like a way of life.” Contact Jeff Hutton at jhutton@iasoybeans.com.

DISTRICT 6

Brian Strasser BY JOSEPH HOPPER

t’s one of the beautiful stories of rural American life – sons and daughters of farm families setting off to make a name for themselves and eventually returning to the family farm. Today, Brian Strasser lives on the same farmstead that was home to his grandfather and his mother. He began his professional career as a computer programmer. After working in the industry for a decade, a twist of fate led him back to agriculture as the sales manager for Sinclair Tractor in Kalona. “I cut my teeth inside the technology industry. Knowing the big picture of agriculture, from John Deere products to technology to agronomics to my own farm, I can relate and pull it all together. This experience has been an advantage in working with farmers.”

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The Perfect Fit Strasser grows row crops and raises hogs on the family farm. He’s been a member of the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) since he started farming in 2013. ISA District 9 Director Pat Swanson, a fellow farmer and friend, encouraged Strasser to get involved in the association. He found the perfect fit with the IowaMissouri Policy Leaders Fellowship (PLF). “We all have to do our part,” Strasser says. “It’s important to be engaged in these issues that ultimately impact farmers. I can bring more to the table than just a farmer’s perspective; there’s a large hat I can wear and be involved in many different issues. I enjoyed having that extra relatability with my customers too.” Agriculture and its people – neighbors, friends and family keep Strasser excited

as he nears a decade since returning to farming. He says farming is still full of salt of the earth types, who work to ensure a rising tide lifts all boats. Like Strasser’s farmer friends, he says ISA walks the talk. In the future, he hopes to further explore the conservation and research offerings of the association. “ISA has some great people at the leadership level, and I look forward to furthering my involvement with the association. Those involved seem to be down to earth and want to get stuff done,” Strasser says. “A lot of organizations are just about meetings over coffee and talking. ISA wants to further their benefit for Iowa farmers, and they truly believe in their mission statement and purpose.” Contact Joseph Hopper at jhopper@iasoybeans.com.

I look forward to furthering my involvement with the association. Those involved seem to be down to earth and want to get stuff done. - Brian Strasser, ISA farmer member

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IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 15

Justin Dammann and son Jayden on the family farm near Essex.

DISTRICT 7

Justin Dammann As a grower, I appreciate the Iowa Soybean Association taking time to dive into the weeds and figure out products that are working and those that aren’t working. - Justin Dammann, ISA farmer member

hen Justin Dammann reflects on the history of his family’s 121-year-old farm, the transformation from a bustling farm producing goods for self-sufficiency to the diversified business it has become stands out the most. Dammann, his wife Jennifer, and children Jillian and Jayden raise cattle and grow soybeans and corn on their Page County farm near Essex. They also own a custom farming business specializing in Richiger grain bagging systems, McHale hay equipment and Tubeline equipment sales. Connecting with Consumers The Dammanns have used the opportunity to connect the farm to consumers through their involvement in the Iowa Food & Family Project. “We networked with other farm families and shared our story with consumers, answering questions about their food and what we do on our farm,” Dammann says. The Iowa Food & Family Project

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celebrates farm families by uniting rural and urban communities and providing information and experiences consumers need to make informed food choices. The initiative involves a collaborative network of nearly 35 food, farming and healthy living organizations, funded by soybean, pork, beef, egg, corn, turkey and dairy checkoffs and non-checkoff resources. Answers Through Research Dammann has also participated in on-farm trials through the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI). Trials ranging from side-byside research of fungicide and foliar applications and population trials have been conducted on the Dammann farm. Not only has Dammann been able to have the research to support products to use on his farm but the results have also been used to help other farmers make profitable decisions. “Companies tell growers to do their

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BY KRISS NELSON

research. They are right. But the reality is, it is tough to get the crop planted and do your own research,” says Dammann. “As a grower, I appreciate the Iowa Soybean Association taking time to dive into the weeds and figure out products that are working and those that aren’t working.” Power in Numbers When it comes to ISA’s farmermembers and the association’s work to support Iowa’s soybean farmers, Dammann says, “There is power in numbers.” “We need to stick together and focus on what we are good at,” he says. “One thing the Iowa Soybean Association can do, that growers cannot, is find new markets. They source the new uses for soybeans and the oil that it delivers. We all must work together. We need to commit to the Iowa Soybean Association as they are committed to us, then we will all win together.” Contact Kriss Nelson at knelson@iasoybeans.com

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DISTRICT 8

Matt Diehl BY JEFF HUTTON

e’s the first to admit that without a career in farming, Matt Diehl of Osceola would be lost. “I can’t imagine not getting up and farming every day,” he says, adding his lifeblood has been rooted in the farmland owned by four generations of his family. Diehl, his wife Leslie and their three teenage children are now the caretakers of a cattle operation, 2,400 pigs and 700 acres of corn, alfalfa and soybeans. They also have a custom chopping business, working with several area producers.

As a kid, he received firsthand training alongside his father, grandfather and great-grandfather. They were there to help him navigate the unpredictable terrain that is farming. And despite taking a brief detour for college and another job outside of the farm, agriculture never really left Diehl’s heart. He got back onto the tractor, returning to farming full time in 2008. Passion for Ag Like his elders once did, Diehl now imparts those lessons to his daughter and two sons, hoping they too may feel the same devotion he does toward the land and livestock. It is this desire that drives Diehl toward success on the farm.

“I’m so passionate about agriculture. I just need to grow things,” he says. “Farming challenges me.” And the challenges are great – everything from the weather, fluctuating markets, modern technology and ever-increasing input costs, such as fuel and fertilizer, helps define an Iowa farmer’s life. “It’s definitely stressful and tough, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I just love it,” he says. Meaningful Membership The support of organizations like the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) have helped Diehl over the years. “ISA is very good at getting soybeans into new ventures and helping create more markets,” he says. “It’s obvious with the

Farming is a family tradition for the Diehl family. Left to right: Ryan, Garrett, Leslie, Matt and Allie.

RCFI staff facilitating the Front 40 initiative include (left to right) Todd Sutphin, Roger Wolf, Theo Gunther, David Kurth and Kristen Dearden. 18 | JULY 2022 | IASOYBEANS.COM 18 | JULY 2022 | IASOYBEANS.COM

work they’ve done, prices are as good as they have ever been. ISA has helped to create demand for soybeans.” Diehl says he appreciates the research the organization conducts on behalf of soybean farmers. “Whether it’s herbicides, new uses or cover crops, I like that they’re providing information back to the farmers,” he adds. Diehl keeps abreast of what’s going on with farm policy and overseas trade through the Iowa Soybean Review, as well as weekly and periodic notices via ISA’s website and email. While working the land and raising livestock will always be at the forefront of his daily life, Diehl appreciates time away from the farm, especially with family.

“My kids are pretty active in sports. We like to travel to their ball games,” he says. “We also like to go to the lake and boat, and we love to go to Colorado as a family.” The Next Generation But Diehl’s heart goes back to his work on the farm and his desire to see agricultural opportunities grow for him and his family as well as other young farmers. “Right now, the input costs have to come down. It’s very tough for young guys to get started farming with the costs and the land prices or to find available land (to purchase or rent). We’ve got to find a way to make it a little easier for the 18-to-20-somethings so that they can farm; otherwise, we’re in trouble.”

Diehl says it’s up to his children to decide how or if they want to stay in agriculture. “I want them to be successful at whatever they do,” he says. “Farming isn’t a job you can do if you’re not passionate about it. “There are times you work 80-100 hours per week. No sane person would want to do it,” he laughs. “I have buddies who work 40 hours a week and are always golfing or doing something else, but that’s not for me.” If any of his children decide to move forward on the farm, Diehl says he will be “all in” to helping them succeed. Deep Roots For Diehl, his heart and soul are firmly planted in the Clarke County farmland. “It would be very difficult for me not to farm,” he says. “I don’t want to be sitting behind a computer at a desk in an office. I would go stir-crazy. “There are very few days I get up thinking, ‘I don’t want to go to work.’ Just being able to do what you love every day. It’s in your blood. Working those 12-14 hours a day and seeing a crop coming up from the ground or seeing a calf being born, I just love it.” Contact Jeff Hutton at jhutton@iasoybeans.com.

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Hayden Olson, of Northwood, plants soybean into rye as part of a cropping trial. (Photo: Joseph Hopper/Iowa Soybean Association) Brought to you by the soy checkoff. ©2018 United Soybean Board. Our Soy Checkoff and the Our Soy Checkoff mark are trademarks of United Soybean Board. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 21

A flourishing soybean field north of Ankeny.

SOY SNAPS by Joclyn Bushman

Left: Stacey Bushman checks seeds mid-plant in Winneshiek County. Below: Annalee and Axton Schwarck admire tiny soybean plants on the farm in Mitchell County.

Ryan, Garrett, Matt, Leslie and Allie Diehl raise crops and livestock near Osceola.

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Left: Gus supervises planting season on a side-by-side in northeast Iowa. Below: A colorful herd of cow-calf pairs in Clarke County.

Green and yellow equipment glide across rolling hills near Fort Atkinson.

Justin Dammann and his son Jayden discuss planting plans to finish out the season.

A hungry steer waits at the feed bunk at Muller Family Farm near Atlantic.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 23

WISHH works with international associations to build lasting potential for U.S. soy trade.

Connect with WISHH wishh.org

WISHH is a program of the American Soybean Association and is funded in part by the United Soybean Board and state soybean board checkoff programs. 24 | JULY 2022 | IASOYBEANS.COM

Join WISHH in the business of untapped protein potential.

WISHH connects trade and development across global market systems, improves food security, and brings the power of strategic partnerships to our unique market-systems approach.

Connect with WISHH wishh.org

WISHH is a program of the American Soybean Association and is funded in part by the United Soybean Board and state soybean board checkoff programs.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 25

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How does the checkoff work? The national soy checkoff was created as part of the 1990 Farm Bill. The Act & Order that created the soy checkoff requires that all soybean farmers pay into the soy checkoff at the first point of purchase.

FARMER SELLS SOYBEANS

1/2 OF THE MONEY STAYS IN

IOWA

AND THOSE FUNDS GO TO:

ELEVATORS PROCESSORS GRAIN DEALERS

Soybean Production Soybean Demand Information & Education Public Affairs

AND THE OTHER HALF GOES TO

UNITED SOYBEAN BOARD Volunteer farmerleaders of the United Soybean Board are dedicated to responsibly investing each checkoff dollar to the greatest return on investment for all U.S. soybean farmers.

1/2 OF 1% OF THE TOTAL SELLING PRICE IS COLLECTED PER THE NATIONAL SOYBEAN ACT AND ORDER

How are checkoff funds used? Checkoff funds are used for promotion, research and education at both the state and national levels. By law, no checkoff dollars can be used to fund legislative activities, so ISA generates non-checkoff funding in a variety of ways. The Checkoff Act & Order governs the soybean checkoff and is up for renewal (vote) by soybean farmers every five years.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 27

ISA Leaders Remember “NoTillTom” BY BETHANY BARATTA

om Oswald, a fourth-generation farmer known for his inquisitive mind and advocacy on behalf of the soybean industry, passed away unexpectedly on June 16. He was 63. Tom farmed near Cleghorn, in the same area his ancestors first settled in 1869. He served the soybean industry in various capacities for more than 20 years. He served on the county level, and then became director and ultimately president of the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) from 2014-2015. At the time of his death, he was serving as a national director and chair of the audit and evaluation committee for the United Soybean Board (USB). Oswald was also past president of the Cherokee

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County Farm Bureau, a Cherokee County Soil Commissioner and a member of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce AgriBusiness Committee.

Thoughtful Contributor Fellow ISA and USB Director April Hemmes of Hampton says the news of Tom’s death is a shock to farmers and ag leaders who knew him. “Everyone is in shock, and they all know he will be missed as a leader in the ag world.” Hemmes says Tom would often challenge others during board meetings. “Tom always had a question for you or the speaker at the meeting. And then when the discussion came around about any subject, you would see him tilt

back in his chair, look up for a while, then after he was done organizing his thoughts, he would begin to speak,” she says. “He was always thinking outside the box; he was the ‘what if’ guy in the room. I will miss the banter he and I used to have, the exchanging of ideas and the fact that in decision making, he always put what was best for the farmer first.”

Farmer-First Approach As ISA president, Tom’s farmer-first approach extended to the board for which he guided. Wayne Fredericks, who succeeded Tom as president of the ISA, looked to him as a mentor. “Tom reached out and did a lot to help me learn and adjust,” says Fredericks

of Osage. “I learned the ropes, and we became friends right away.” In addition to countless meetings and trips they took together as directors domestically and abroad, Fredericks and Tom’s friendship extended outside of the ISA. When the COVID-19 pandemic restricted traveling, they stayed in touch with a virtual happy hour.

Worldwide Connections

The two were connected through their farming beliefs. Tom was a staunch supporter of strip-till and no-till farming, often voicing his support of the practices based on decades of experience. His license plate was a traveling billboard for who he was and what he believed in. It read ‘NoTilTm,” short for “NoTillTom,” and was adorned in cardinal and gold, favoring Iowa State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Agriculture degrees. “We both farmed alike,” Fredericks says. “We were both heavily into conservation, no-till, strip-till, so we also had that commonality. It was an honor and pleasure to work under him.” When Tom believed in something, he believed in it wholeheartedly, Fredericks notes. “He was a leader, a national speaker and I can’t say enough about his leadership in conservation within the soy world,” he says. Perhaps his “about me” section of his Twitter account said it best: “My tweets are my own thoughts and opinions generated from a brew of life experiences.” Tom got his first GPS in 1996 and took to the AgTalk online forum to learn

from farmers who had already worked out the kinks in their systems. And he never stopped learning or helping others learn from his experiences. His passion for sharing agriculture with farmers also extended into sharing fact-based information with consumers. Tom authored the monthly Farm Life Journal for the Iowa Food & Family Project throughout 2019. Through the blog, he shared a behindthe-scenes glimpse into Iowa agriculture. He brought to life the importance of conservation, multigenerational farming, continuous learning and how agriculture is a “people” business.

Reflective Leader “I have worked with many farmer leaders over the years, but when I say Tom was a unique person, I mean it in the most positive way,” says ISA CEO Kirk Leeds. “I’m not sure I have ever worked alongside a more thoughtful and reflective leader. On any issue being considered,

Tom would ask really insightful questions and share a perspective that needed to be considered. “He took his leadership role in serving Iowa’s soybean farmers very seriously. Our organization and our industry are better because of Tom Oswald, and he will be missed by all that were fortunate to know him.” ISA President Robb Ewoldt of Davenport says Oswald’s contributions to conversations challenged others to think broadly. “He was all about soybeans and no-till farming,” says Ewoldt. “Our association, industry and state are better because of Tom.” ISA At-Large Director and USB Director Lindsay Greiner of Keota says Oswald’s legacy extends beyond the boardrooms where he served. “Tom was a true leader who wasn’t afraid to take different paths toward a solution,” says Greiner, a past ISA president. “Personally, Tom was a thoughtful person. He was always there to offer kind, thoughtful words of advice and encouragement to others around him,” Greiner says. “Tom will be greatly missed in the soybean world, and his contributions will live on for many years to come. Godspeed.” Kriss Nelson and Jeff Hutton contributed to this story.

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Back to His Roots Iowa native named co-director of ISA’s Research Center for Farming Innovation B Y B R OCK JOHNS T ON

n Iowa native has been named the co-director of the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) nationally-recognized research team. Joe McClure joins Roger Wolf in co-directing ISA’s Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI) operations, guiding the organization’s onfarm research. Wolf will lead RCFI’s focus on conservation and cropping systems implementation. McClure assumes the role following a 20-year career with Monsanto, which was acquired by Bayer and became integrated under that company’s corporate umbrella. “I am eager to work with the talented people at ISA and engage with Iowa soybean farmers to help drive on-farm research increasing productivity, profitability and sustainability,” says McClure. “My experience in the seed industry has given me a helpful perspective and understanding of the research,

regulatory and production aspects of agriculture.” Before joining ISA’s RCFI, McClure focused his efforts on helping individuals and teams succeed in various settings, including field research, inventory, logistics and seed production. His work experience has taken him across the nation, including to Wichita, Kansas; St. Louis, Missouri; Maui, Hawaii; and most recently

Tremont, Illinois. “ISA is excited to have Joe join our team,” says Kirk Leeds, ISA CEO. “His passion and commitment to helping farmers improve their farming operations with the best and most relevant agronomic research were evident the first time I met him. We are anxious to see his contributions to the integrated approach of soybean research that ISA’s RCFI is known for.” No stranger to agriculture, Joe grew up on a pig and grain farm near Center Point before earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Mount Mercy College. He received his Master of Science in Crop Production and Physiology from Iowa State University. “I am excited to be back in my home state and ready to work in this new role,” says McClure. Contact Brock Johnston at bjohnston@iasoybeans.com.

“I am eager to work with the talented people at ISA and engage with Iowa soybean farmers to help drive on-farm research increasing productivity, profitability and sustainability.”

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Rural Route 2 Editor’s Note by Bethany Baratta bbaratta@iasoybeans.com

If These Shop Walls Could Talk

here are boxes of stuff nestled on shelves in our garage and in our basement “just in case.” You know, just in case we find a use for one of the computer cables that are likely incompatible with any technology in our home. Need a badly worn paintbrush? It’s there.

‘Lucky Bucket’ It turns out this is an inherited trait passed through the family tree. My materal grandfather, a business owner and electrician, carried around his “lucky bucket.” Inside were wire nuts, measuring tape, screws of all shapes and sizes, screwdrivers, pliers, wire and other essential items. This lucky bucket

was in addition to the van that housed ladders, tools and additional supplies to get the job done.

Treasure Trove The “stuff” hanging on my parents’ shop walls came in handy during a recent visit. While we were unloading hay bales from the wagon and onto the elevator, the conveyor chain snapped, rendering the elevator useless. A walk across the yard to my parents’ shop revealed a treasure trove of spare pieces and parts – just in case. There are nails and screws sorted by size and shape in containers, and another pile of assorted wire and pieces that can be used to mend a fence. To an outsider, this could look messy. But like the boxes of stuff on the shelves in my garage and house, Dad knows exactly where the pieces and parts are located. One of my favorite parts of the farm – other than my parents who live there – are the walls of this shop. Each time I walk in there with my dad, I learn something new about the history of the farm, which my grandpa started. Dad

shares memories of the tools spilling from the wooden drawers and hanging from nails on the walls, including the pieces grandpa had for the two-row planter, and the parts they used to harvest corn and store in the corn crib. I often wonder what other stories those walls could tell. We found spare chain that, after decades of hanging on Dad’s shop walls (and with some mechanical encouragement), ended up being the fix we needed to finish the task at hand.

What’s On Your Walls? As we were putting this month’s magazine together, I wondered about the shops of these members. What will they look like decades from now? Will technology replace spare elevator chains? Will there be a need for spare parts? What do you think? I’m curious what’s on your shop walls? Is there anything you keep ‘just in case?’ How long has it been adorning the walls or drawers of your shop? Drop me a line at bbaratta@iasoybeans.com; feel free to send me pictures. I just might use them in an upcoming magazine. I hope you’re enjoying this summer; and I hope you see the rains needed to carry this crop through to a bountiful harvest.

IOWA SOYBEAN REVIEW® | 31

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