Engage with ISA

The ISA Research Center for Farming Innovation is here to provide programs, projects, tools and information to help farmers to be more profitable.  All soybean farmers have access to our on-farm research results, analytics and decision tools, and programs that emphasize applied on-farm research and technical assistance for agronomic and conservation improvement and best management practices.

By engaging with our staff, you have the opportunity for support in conducting on-farm agronomics and conservation research. We can help you evaluate product, practices and infrastructure that will positively impact your profitability through increased productivity, optimized inputs, maximized soil health, soil fertility, soil conservation, nutrient management, water management and water quality.

In addition to benefiting from over 20 years of past on-farm research results, farmers can participate in current project opportunities and receive technical assistance for watershed planning and cropping systems improvement. We aim to help you understand how and where your soybean checkoff dollars are being utilized at universities across the Midwest to bring short- and long-term value. This value is seen in the form of new genetics, biotechnology, pest, disease and weed management, engineering solutions, precision agriculture, predictive modeling and computational agriculture.

Find An Opportunity

The DAC is made up of farmer leaders in each of Iowa's nine crop districts, representing all 99 counties. DAC members are farmers who have stepped forward to do more with ISA and get involved in ways that best fit their interests, skills and schedules. Most opportunities — like surveys or conference calls — you can do from your tractor seat or home. Sometimes we will provide opportunities for involvement in trials, media opportunities, farm tours, and various other ways to showcase and improve our industry.

Join Your DAC

The Communications Squad is driven to empower you to be more effective spokespersons for the soybean industry. Participants gather four times per year to get the latest industry updates on agricultural issues, converse with television, radio and newspaper reporters and share their farming stories. 

Apply Now 

CommonGround is based on the idea that we need to make food and farming more personal. As consumers get further away from the farm, the more questions they have about the food they feed their families. When consumers understand that real families are raising their food and that they share common values and expectations, they have more trust in farming. Your farm story can help us reach this goal!

Get Involved

Iowa FFP builds trust in modern agriculture with an opt-in audience of more than 130,000 food and health-minded Iowans. Iowa FFP connects farmers and consumers during community events, farm tours, speaker series and influencer panels. ISA members are encouraged to volunteer to share their agriculture stories through these events. 

Let us help you share your story.

ISA Leadership Awards are presented annually in eight categories to individuals and organizations in recognition of outstanding work on behalf of Iowa soybean farmers and the agriculture industry.

Nominations officially open in the fall and awards are presented at ISA’s Annual Awards Banquet in the winter, but you can submit nominations at any time.

Submit Nominations   

Serving on the Board of Directors is an opportunity to elevate your leadership efforts and provide direction for your organization. Directors represent the soybean farmers in their crop reporting districts and determine where checkoff dollars are invested and leveraged. They also represent Iowa on trade missions, at various agricultural conferences, at the state and national Capitols and are regularly called upon to speak with the media about important issues. 

More Information

A partnership between the American Soybean Association (ASA) and Corteva Agriscience, the Young Leader Program is a two-phase educational program for actively farming individuals and couples who are passionate about the future possibilities of agriculture. The women and men who participate in this program will be the leaders who shape the future of agriculture.

Apply through ASA or view ISA's participant testimonials.