FROM THE BOARDROOM CHAIRMAN Steve Pitstick, Maple Park District 2 VICE CHAIRMAN Ron Kindred, Atlanta District 9 SECRETARY Elliott Uphoff, Shelbyville District 10 TREASURER Dwayne Anderson, Lynn Center District 3 ASSISTANT SECRETARY-TREASURER David Wessel, Chandlerville At-Large Director GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR Brad Daugherty, West Union District 14 MARKET DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR Scott Gaffner, Greenville At-Large Director UTILIZATION COMMITTEE CHAIR James Martin, Pontiac District 6 DIRECTORS Ryan Frieders, Waterman | District 1 Buck Hill, Grand Ridge | District 4 Mark Read, Putnam | District 5 Bryan Severs, Potomac | District 7 David Niekamp, Coatsburg | District 8 Matt Murray, Paxton | District 11 Brock Willard, Pittsfield | District 12 Ed Murphy, Farmersville | District 13 Jeff Parker, Belleville | District 15 Brian Atteberry, Carmi | District 16 Nick Harre, Nashville | District 17 Rick Rubenacker, McLeansboro | District 18 AT-LARGE DIRECTORS Betsey Emerick, Vandalia Brady Holst, Plymouth Jeff O'Connor, Kankakee Tim Scates, Carmi UNITED SOYBEAN BOARD (USB) Gary Berg, St. Elmo Dan Farney, Morton, USB Chairman Lynn Rohrscheib, Fairmount Doug Winter, Mill Shoals AMERICAN SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION (ASA) Stan Born, Mahomet, ASA Treasurer Daryl Cates, Columbia, ASA Secretary David Droste, Nashville Jered Hooker, Clinton Ron Moore, Roseville Bill Raben, Ridgway Rob Shaffer, El Paso Bill Wykes, Yorkville Leading by Listening STAFF CREDITS Editor | Rachel Peabody, Illinois Soybean Association Assistant Editor | Betsy Osman, Illinois Soybean Association Staff Writer | Claire Weinzierl, Illinois Soybean Association Staff Writer & Advertising Coordinator | Jill Parrent, Illinois Soybean Association Digital Edition & Circulation Manager | Heather Atkinson, Illinois Soybean Association Staff Photographer | Stephen Sostaric, Illinois Soybean Association OTHER ISA STAFF Chief Executive Officer | John Lumpe Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer | Brian Hansen Senior Director of Government Affairs | Mike Levin Director of Ag Innovation | Linda Kull Director of Conservation Agriculture | Michael Gill Director of Operations | Dustin Scott Director of Public Policy & Market Development | Andrew Larson Conservation Agronomy Manager | Abigail Peterson The Illinois Soybean Growers is owner of Illinois Field & Bean, a publication for Illinois soybean farmers, designed and written to provide timely and useful industry information. Illinois Field & Bean is published by the Illinois Soybean Association, 1605 Commerce Parkway, Bloomington, IL 61704. For address corrections, contact Illinois Field & Bean at 1605 Commerce Parkway, Bloomington, IL 61704. Phone 309-663-7692. Web address: www.ilsoy.org. Email: [email protected]. Comments and statewide news articles should be sent to the above address. Advertising space reservations must be made by the first of the month preceding publication. In consideration of the acceptance of 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. FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION Rachel Peabody Director of Communications Phone: (217) 825-7654 Email: [email protected] 4 September 2021 STEVE PITSTICK | Chairman | Illinois Soybean Earlier this summer I had the chance to hear from Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, the House Agriculture Committee Chairman. He spoke about a lot of important issues – things that matter to farmers like me – but there was one com- ment in particular that stayed with me. He said, “We are given two ears and only one mouth, which means we should listen twice as much as we speak.” With 45 years of experience in farming and agribusiness, I do have some strong feelings and opinions on the direction of agriculture – opinions that were devel- oped through a lifetime of industry experiences, challenges, and successes. But the idea that I need to listen more, and maybe talk less, is a concept I needed to hear. As I think back to the leaders I’ve admired over my personal and profession- al life, each of them have something in common: they were great listeners. They didn’t just wait to respond; they listened. Really listened. Our agronomic industry is a fast-moving, constantly changing landscape. There aren’t a lot of things that remain the same for very long. New technologies, early adoptions, conservation best-practices, and carbon market conversations change as we learn more information, gain new insights through research, and continue to impact global exchange. We are required to stay nimble, move faster, adapt quickly, and anticipate the most profitable returns on our efforts. During these dizzying days, it’s important to double down on the things we can control, like listening to each other and appreciating each other’s perspectives. As I step into the role of Chairman of the Board for Illinois Soybean Association – a role I assume with honor and purpose – I am excited to listen to stories from our growers across the state. I want to know what it’s like to farm your operation. I want to hear about your kids and what kind of music you’re listening to. I want to know what you’re most excited about, what you most worry about, and what ISA can be doing to help you rest a little easier at night. As an organization, we have ambitious work ahead. We have a bold strategic plan, a committed board of directors, a talented staff, and an Illinois-specific en- ergy that is being perceived by the rest of the country. We are poised for signif- icant growth and new opportunities, working for the best interests of our hard- working farmers who are the authors of Illinois’ success story. And we’re going to be listening. Really listening.
