2026 Director Elections - District 2
July 1, 2026
Shane Beenken – Titonka
Shane Beenken grows soybeans and corn on a century farm in Titonka with his mother, his wife, Hillary, and their two sons. He also operates a Pioneer seed dealership.
Beenken graduated with an associate degree from Iowa Lakes Community College and a bachelor’s in agronomy with an ag business minor from Iowa State University.
He serves on the board for Titonka-Burt Communications and volunteers for the Titonka fire department and ambulance service. He also supports the local FFA chapter, helping students work toward their Iowa FFA degree. He has served on the Pioneer Representative Council and is a member of the Kossuth County Farm Bureau.
Why are you interested in serving on the ISA board?
I’m excited to serve on the ISA board because it aligns my experience and values. I’m running for the ISA board to increase my involvement in a great organization. I look forward to learning about policies and markets affecting soybean trade and seeking new uses to maintain profitability. Serving on the board lets me contribute skills from my 30 years in agriculture to strengthen the farming community and help ISA adapt to future challenges.
What’s the biggest issue facing Iowa soybean farmers right now, and how can the board address it?
We must work to create greater demand for Iowa soybean products through trade policy and partner relationships. Iowa soybean growers need to be the voice of reason with current and future administrations. While policy implementation is critical, bringing substance and value to these relationships is also important. Placing value on creating new market opportunities while also working to improve soybean profitability for all growers will improve the industry and the value for farmers everywhere.
Sam Showalter (Incumbent) – Hampton
Sam Showalter is a fifth-generation soybean, corn and hog farmer. He farms with his wife, Laura, and his younger brother, dad, and cousins around the Hampton area.
Showalter graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University. He is the treasurer of the Iowa Soybean Association’s Board of Directors and serves as a Franklin County Soil and Water Commissioner. He is the vice president of his church and has volunteered as a wrestling coach and as a Franklin County Fair Board member.
Why are you interested in serving on the ISA board?
As a younger farmer, I have a vested interest in the long-term viability of Iowa soybean production. I spent my first term on the ISA board learning about the programming areas, bringing an open mind to finding avenues to improve the bottom line of Iowa's soybean farmers through strategic investment of their checkoff and non-checkoff dollars. I dived headfirst into multiple leadership roles within the organization, and I’m proud to work with the great group of farmers on our board. I hope to continue to do so moving forward.
What’s the biggest issue facing Iowa soybean farmers right now, and how can the board address it?
Many challenges exist, including the current economic conditions facing the soybean industry, both on the demand side and crop input side. The ISA board can help through advocacy at the state and federal levels. Sound policy helps stabilize demand for domestic soy consumption, giving farmers clarity on the markets they are selling into. We must prioritize building domestic and international demand for our high-quality Iowa soybeans and value-added products like soybean meal and soy-fed animal products to ensure our industry remains successful.
Back