(Photo: Iowa Soybean Association / Joclyn Kuboushek)
Big soybean issues, local conversations
May 28, 2026 | Kriss Nelson
This summer, the Iowa Soybean Association wants farmers to do more than just listen. Through its Summer Soy Series of meetings, ISA is inviting farmers to pull up a chair, ask questions and talk through the issues shaping today’s soybean industry.
Farmers interested in attending the new roundtable-style meetings can register online through the ISA Summer Soy Series event page. Attendees are encouraged to submit topics and questions during registration to help shape conversations around the issues most important to local farmers.
“The Summer Soy Series will focus heavily on policy discussions, including global trade, biofuels, water quality, renewable fuel standards, soybean demand and other hot topics impacting farmers and the future of the U.S. soybean industry,” says ISA Producer Services Manager Bre Wagner.
Farmers are encouraged to bring their own perspectives and help guide the conversation.
“We go out a lot and talk, but we really want to hear what farmers want to talk about,” Wagner says. “Our goal is to make these meetings discussion-driven. We want to answer questions, hear what’s important to farmers and make sure what we’re doing is meeting their needs.”
Driving discussion
Each meeting will feature Corey Hillebo, cohost of the “Farm4Profit” podcast, helping facilitate conversations alongside ISA Chief Officer of Demand and Advocacy Matt Herman.
Wagner says Hillebo brings an understanding of agriculture and can help encourage open dialogue among attendees.
“Corey brings a different perspective, and we think that helps create a better conversation,” she says.
Registration also gives farmers the opportunity to submit questions and topics in advance, allowing each meeting to be tailored to local interests.
Each Summer Soy Series stop will also include a tour connected to the local meeting location.
Join us at a meeting near you
The series is also an opportunity for farmers to better understand how ISA is working on their behalf and to share feedback directly with leadership.
“Come ask questions. Come have discussions about what we’re doing so you’re informed and can voice your opinion,” Wagner says. “We want to problem-solve together and figure out what the big issues are.”
Registration is available at no additional cost to soybean farmers, courtesy of their soybean checkoff. This meeting is otherwise valued at $75.
Summer Soy Series in Calmar
On Monday, June 15, the Summer Soy Series in Calmar will be held at Northwest Iowa Community College’s Wilder Business Center, 1625 Highway 150 South, Calmar, Iowa 52132.
Registration opens at 9 a.m. Tour to follow the event at Hilltop Acres Farm.
Register for the Summer Soy Series event in Calmar
Summer Soy Series in Boone
On Monday, June 15, the Summer Soy Series in Boone will begin with a tour at AgCertain, 967 Quartz Avenue, Boone, Iowa 50036.
The tour begins at 3:15 p.m., with a program and dinner to follow at Cobblestone Inn and Suites in Boone.
Register for the Summer Soy Series event in Boone
Summer Soy Series in Milford
On Thursday, June 18, the Summer Soy Series in Milford will be held at the Milford Community Building, 806 North Avenue, Milford, Iowa 51351.
Registration opens at 9 a.m. with a tour to follow at Jones Family Dairy.
Register for the Summer Soy Series event in Milford
Summer Soy Series in Diagonal
On Thursday, June 18, the Summer Soy Series in Diagonal will be held at Excel Engineering, 1587 160 Avenue, Diagonal, Iowa 50845.
The tour starts at 3:15 p.m., with a program and dinner to follow at Homestead Hall.
Register for the Summer Soy Series event in Diagonal
Summer Soy Series in Muscatine
The Summer Soy Series in Muscatine will be held at Bayer Crop Science, 2500 Wiggins Road, Muscatine, Iowa 52761.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. with a tour to follow at Bayer Crop Science.
Register for the Summer Soy Series event in Muscatine
Summer Soy Series in Pella
The Summer Soy Series in Pella will be held at Lely North America, 1948 Lely Parkway, Pella, Iowa 50219.
Tour starts at 3:15 p.m. with program and dinner to follow at Graham Annex, Central College.
Register for the Summer Soy Series event in Pella
Closed-toe shoes are required for all tours.
For more information on the Summer Soy Series of meetings, contact Kennady Henry, ISA producer services coordinator, at 515-491-3539 or khenry@iasoybeans.com.
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