(Photo: Iowa Soybean Association / Joclyn Kuboushek)
Rural Route 2: VOTE - You hold the power
May 29, 2025 | Bethany Baratta
The agriculture world is big on acronyms. Sometimes it seems like alphabet soup. There’s the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Risk Management Agency (RMA) and National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). There's also the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), American Soybean Association (ASA) and United Soybean Board (USB).
But there's another acronym I just made up. It’s not a service or an agency; you hold its power: Voice Opportunity Trust Engagement (VOTE).
The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) director election is rapidly approaching. If you annually market 250 bushels of soybeans, you can expect a voting guide and additional voting instructions in the mail soon. We've included a preview of the process starting on page 8 in this magazine.
What makes this ballot and your vote important? Let's refer to that acronym: VOTE
Voice: You have a say in who leads your farmer-led association. Voting affirms your voice in the process.
Opportunity: The candidates you'll read about in this issue have raised their hands for a chance to lead and serve fellow farmers. You have the opportunity to decide who best fits your vision for the future of ISA.
Trust: Voters cast ballots for people they trust. You'll cast your ballot in the ISA director election for candidates who will shape investments in research funding, market development, consumer awareness efforts and more.
Engagement: Engaging in the voting process is another way you can say, 'Our work matters. Our future matters.'
As I condensed the biographies for the candidates to fit the voting guide in this magazine, I noted how each could contribute to conversations and decisions related to production research, demand, consumer engagement and several other topics discussed during board meetings. They're ready to serve you.
When you receive that ballot in your mailbox, I hope you think about VOTE — and respond by casting your ballot. I can’t wait to see who you've elected to shape the future of ISA.
Article written by Bethany Baratta.
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