Iowa Farmers Elect New Leadership to Grow Markets and Advance Opportunities for U.S. Soybeans

September 14, 2026 | Brock Johnston

Ankeny, Iowa — Farmer-leaders of the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) board of directors last week elected Lee Brooke of Clarinda as president during its September board meeting in Aberdeen, Washington. The association’s 22 volunteer farmer directors represent the state’s nine crop reporting districts in overseeing the management and allocation of soybean checkoff and non-checkoff resources.

Brooke was first elected as an ISA district 7 director in 2021. He manages a diversified row crop and livestock farm in partnership with his son and son-in-law. He also serves as president of the Southwest Iowa Rural Water Association and has held leadership posts in a local cooperative, church and county cattlemen’s association.

“Soybean farmers are facing new challenges every day to feed a growing population in a cost-effective way,” says Brooke. “The ISA, with the involvement of soybean farmers and industry partners, can positively impact this need through developing new uses, expanding trade and keeping additional regulations in check. I’m grateful to represent Iowa’s soybean farmers in this capacity and look forward to digging in."

Four farmer-leaders were also appointed to serve on ISA’s Executive Committee, including:

• Scot Bailey, President-Elect – Anita
• Sam Showalter, Treasurer – Hampton
• Amanda Tupper, Secretary – Ionia
• Jeff Ellis, At-Large – Donnellson

Directors are chosen by Iowa soybean farmers through the ISA election in July and take office in September. Members voted for two farmers from their crop reporting district and four farmers to serve as at-large directors.

Newly elected farmers who will serve three-year terms on the board were Josh Blair, Wall Lake (District 4) and Jeff Hedges, Oakville (District 9). Effective Sept. 1, Lisa Obrecht of Zearing (District 5) was appointed by the board to serve a three-year term following the resignation of Corey Goodhue.

Re-elected to three-year terms on the board were: Paul Kassel, Spencer (District 1); Sam Showalter, Hampton (District 2); Scot Bailey, Anita (District 7); Aimee Bissell, Bedford (At-Large); and Sharon Chism, Huxley (At-Large).

Also serving on the ISA board: Brent Swart, Spencer (District 1); Mike Yegge, Lake Mills (District 2); Josh Schoulte, Farmersburg (District 3); Marty Danzer, Carroll (District 4); and Dave Struthers, Collins (District 5); Brian Strasser, Homestead (District 6); Joe Sperfslage, Coggon (District 6); Summer Ory, Earlham (District 8); Brian Fuller, Osceola (District 8); Jack Boyer, Reinbeck (At-Large); and Neil Krummen, Linn Grove (At-Large).

To learn more, visit iasoybeans.com.

###

Funded by the soybean checkoff.

---

The Iowa Soybean Association is Driven To Deliver market demand, production research, information and insights and regulatory action benefiting Iowa's 37,000 soybean farmers and the industry. For more information, visit iasoybeans.com.

---

Back