Ag Technology & Enviornmental Stewardship Foundation
The Ag Technology and Environmental Stewardship Foundation was incorporated by the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) Board of Directors as a 509(a) private foundation and awarded 501(c)(3) tax exempt status by the IRS in July of 2001. Parties seeking to support Iowa Soybean Association programs in crop nutrient management and environmental stewardship may donate funding through this non-profit foundation.
Mission
To conduct action-oriented programs and services to help soybean farmers succeed agronomically, economically and environmentally through education, research, technical assistance and partnership building.
Purpose
ATESF is organized and operated exclusively for scientific, charitable and educational purposes. Organizational goals are to:
- Increase farmers’ and consumers’ understanding of agriculture.
- Disseminate scientific research and information about agricultural technology and environmental stewardship.
- Include a sufficiently full and fair exposition of pertinent facts that will permit the public to form their own conclusions.
Successes
Through ATESF, many businesses, non-profit organizations, and foundations have helped sponsor ISA programs which allow farmers to assess their current management and environmental impact and make changes and try new practices they believe will improve both. This proactive approach allows participating growers in Iowa and several other states as well to continually improve and document economically viable production of soybeans and rotational crops, such as corn and wheat.
Hundreds of farmers, some organized in watershed groups and others as individuals, have participated in these programs over the past decade. With their data and experience, these programs and services have contributed a significant body of knowledge to inform the public, the industry, public agencies, environmental non-profit organizations, and academia about interactions between agricultural practices and natural resources. These programs have elevated the level of discussion among all these stakeholders, and helped to develop and promoted non-regulatory solutions to the nutrient management issues growers face today. The end result will be better resource management, improved water quality and better economic returns to growers.
Contributors
Among those who have partnered with ISA and the soybean checkoff through charitable contributions for these programs are:
- The Altria family of companies
- Environmental Defense Fund
- The McKnight Foundation
- Pioneer, a DuPont Company
- Walton Family Foundation
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