Steenhoek recognized with Tom Oswald Legacy Award

May 29, 2025 | Brock Johnston

Soybean farmers rely on a cost-effective and competitive transportation system to move product from field to final destination. Among the most critical are the day-to-day stakeholders, ensuring this reality comes to fruition.

The United Soybean Board (USB) presented the Tom Oswald Legacy Award to Mike Steenhoek at the 2025 Commodity Classic in Denver, Colo. Steenhoek was recognized for his work in collaboratively advancing the resiliency and reliability of the nation’s soybean supply chain.

His efforts to seek cost-effective and necessary infrastructure solutions, bring awareness to transportation issues impacting farmer profitability and competitiveness, and build relationships across industry, government, and commodity groups, have helped better position farmers for success.

The recognition holds special significance for Steenhoek. The award was established in honor of the late Tom Oswald, a Cleghorn, Iowa, farmer who served as an ISA past president and USB director for many years.

"One of the blessings of working in this position is working on behalf of some of the most magnificent people that this planet has to offer, and that is America's soybean farmers," said Steenhoek. "It is my honor to receive an award that includes the term 'legacy' in it, but it is particularly an honor to receive an award that includes the name, my friend, Tom Oswald."

Serving as executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) since its inception in 2007, Steenhoek has led the organization’s work and served as a prominent voice for U.S. farmers. The STC, comprised of 14 state soybean boards and other industry stakeholders, has positively contributed to the growth of the soybean industry while maximizing checkoff investments under Steenhoek's leadership.

Through innovation and collaboration, STC has been a key facilitator and player in notable achievements including enhancements to rural bridges, directing inland waterway projects through various grant and investment opportunities, deepening of the lower Mississippi River to accommodate larger ocean-going vessels and more.

Written by Brock Johnston.

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