(Photo: Iowa Soybean Association / File Photo)
Sidney farmer recognized for outstanding advocacy by ASA
May 29, 2025 | Brock Johnston
The American Soybean Association (ASA) honored Jeff Jorgenson of Sidney with its Outstanding State Volunteer Award during an awards celebration at the 2025 Commodity Classic in Denver, Colo. The award recognizes exemplary contributions of volunteers with at least three years of volunteer service in any area of their state association's operation.
Jorgenson has been a longtime farmer-leader, volunteering his time and effort within the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) serving in multiple leadership roles, including board president from 2020-21. Jorgenson has also served three years on ASA's Board of Directors.
"It's an honor to be thought of as someone who’s trying to make a difference," says Jorgenson." Policy has to be cumulative and requires all of us. My advice is to find your 'spot' in the ag policy conversation because there isn't that many of us at the end of the day."
Understanding that policy isn't a spectator sport, Jorgenson has been active in policy development and education at the local and national levels. His advocacy portfolio spans several issues of high importance to soybean farmers, including biofuels, trade, research funding and more.
Jorgenson also represented Iowa soybean farmers on the state’s Flood Recovery Advisory Board and was instrumental in forming the Midwest Soybean Collaborative, a policy and regulatory thinktank analyzing the future needs of soybean producers and creating solutions. Colleagues also note Jorgenson's openness to seeking change when solving problems and challenges, in addition to his ability to develop achievable, forward-thinking policy solutions that benefit soybean growers.
"Through this journey, you really start to learn about policy and gather information to understand how policy shapes the future," says Jorgenson. "The thing about policy is don’t make it black and white. Policies that work on your farm and area — at the end of the day — are the policies you need to be looking for."
Jorgenson was previously awarded ISA's Policy Champion Award in 2024.
Written by Brock Johnston.
Back