(Photo: Iowa Soybean Association / Joclyn Kuboushek)
A growth mindset can amplify checkoff funds
December 1, 2025 | Jen Williams
Key Insights
- ISA's Business Development Lead connects people, projects and funding to deliver greater impact for Iowa's soybean farmers.
- By leveraging grants and partnerships, ISA stretches every checkoff dollar further.
- In fiscal year 2026, for every $1 of checkoff funds invested in RCFI projects, ISA
is bringing in $1.90 in external funding.
Business development at the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) is about connecting people, projects and funding to help farmers thrive. For ISA's Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI), this means finding opportunities to stretch checkoff investments and deliver practical research and conservation solutions that boost productivity, profitability and sustainability.
As I often describe my role to new connections, I say my goal is to ensure that every farmer dollar works harder by building partnerships and unlocking outside resources.
Multiplier effect
ISA's approach is unique among commodity organizations. In planning for fiscal year 2026, every $1 of checkoff funds invested in RCFI projects attracted an additional $1.90 from external sources, including federal and state programs, nonprofits, agribusinesses and even technology companies.
This multiplier effect allows ISA to:
- Run more on-farm trials and generate robust data.
- Provide science-based recommendations for soybean production and conservation practices.
- Support farmers in adopting practices that enhance soil health, water quality and resilience.
Building partnerships
Strong relationships are the foundation of ISA's success. The team maintains ISA's position as a trusted, go-to partner for funding agencies, project collaborators and key stakeholders.
ISA also cultivates new connections, from local conservation districts to global corporations, by staying curious and proactive to find win-win opportunities that benefit farmers.
Ideas to action
Farmer input is central to ISA's research and conservation agendas. Insights from growers feed into an ongoing "idea hopper," ensuring projects address real-world challenges. When funding aligns, these ideas move from concept to active trials.
Some promising topics include:
- Enhanced nutrient management to maximize profitability and productivity in soybeans.
- Integrated Pest Management Studies to understand
the efficacy of crop protection products.
- Expanded cover crop trials and soil health testing to refine conservation practices.
- Turnkey conservation programs that simplify adoption of water- and soil-friendly practices.
Diversifying resources
Checkoff dollars are used to support projects and serve as match funds to catalyze more investment in projects such as:
- Improved cropping systems, co-funded with the U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Enhancing soil health, in partnership with Iowa State University
- Checkoff funds give ISA flexibility to respond quickly to urgent needs, for example, adding targeted weed science research in 2024 and 2025.
To supplement checkoff dollars, ISA pursues selective funding opportunities aligned with farmer priorities.
These include:
- Federal and state programs, such as Advancing Markets for Producers (formerly Climate Smart).
- Nonprofits, private foundations, and agribusinesses that value ISA's rigorous on-farm research.
- Tech companies and consumer brands that are eager to improve water quality and sustainability through farmer-led conservation.
ISA's reputation for delivering quality work on time and on budget attracts partners and keeps projects moving, even amid shifting policy or market conditions.
Farmer benefits
The combined funding supports:
- More research trials and data tailored to Iowa's fields.
- Stronger conservation programs that save time and help connect farmers to new funding sources.
- Practical, unbiased recommendations for improving productivity and profitability.
Get involved
- Share your ideas: Help identify emerging challenges and research needs.
- Participate in trials: Be part of generating on-farm insights that benefit the whole industry.
- Explore conservation opportunities: Contact ISA's Conservation Services and Programs team to align practices with your farm's goals.
Contact us
Written by Jen Williams.
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