ISA accepting project funding proposals

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Illinois Soybean Association is now developing budgets and accepting proposals for fiscal year 2024, which strategically align with the organization’s key priority areas.

The period runs from Sept. 1, 2023, through Aug. 31, 2024.

“Every year, ISA’s 24 farmer directors carefully evaluate and consider every submitted proposal and project for funding,” said Chairman Steve Pitstick.

“This process is essential in allocating Illinois soybean farmers’ checkoff and membership dollars into plans of action that provide beneficial returns to Illinois soybean farmers and industry stakeholders.”

Proposals will be assessed on providing a return on ISA’s mission to uphold the interests of Illinois soybean producers through promotion, advocacy, research and education.

They also will be evaluated on their effectiveness in addressing the needs of Illinois soybean producers and overall alignment with ISA’s new strategic plan.

“Implemented in September 2022, ISA’s new strategic plan identifies how the organization allocates resources to remain a trusted partner of current and future Illinois soybean farmers while positioning them to be successful, profitable and competitive within the industry for years to come,” Pitstick said.

ISA’s strategic plan also helps set association priorities, boost operations and ensures that all farmer directors, employees and stakeholders work toward common objectives and targets.

The following objectives from the ISA committee areas open for RFPs are:

Market Development

The Market Development committee promotes Illinois soy as the preferred choice for U.S. and global customers and supports advancements in infrastructure.

Market Development’s fundamental areas of focus are:

• Building the reputation of U.S. and Illinois-grown soy protein and oil among international buyers with market growth potential.

• Growing domestic markets for Illinois soy in the feed, food, fiber and fuel industries.

• Promoting the Illinois competitive advantage in infrastructure to stakeholders across the value chain and supporting programs and policies to maintain and improve that advantage.

• Communicating the benefits of soy as a healthy source of protein and fat in food and feed products.

• Identifying and prioritizing the development and promotion of high-value soy-based individual products.

• Working with strategic partners to increase soy-based fuel usage in major markets, including diesel fleets, equipment, marine and aviation.

Soybean Production

The Soybean Production committee is cross-functional in agronomic research, education and outreach, creating opportunities for Illinois soybean farmers to increase on-farm profitability and manage crop production risks.

The Soybean Production committee is committed to the following:

• Building partnerships with public and private entities to augment ISA’s agronomic research and education programs.

• Establishing basic and applied research priorities that address regionally specific production opportunities, challenges and economic factors.

• Demonstrating soybean system agronomics focused on soil and water quality, agricultural resource resiliency and land stewardship.

• Continuing to expand the ISA agronomic network by raising awareness and establishing trust among farmers through ongoing outreach and research education.

Communications

The Communications department is responsible for implementing, supporting and monitoring ISA’s public relations efforts, internal and external communications, websites, social networking accounts, educational outreach and more.

The department develops the association’s publications, including its flagship property, Illinois Field & Bean magazine, and strengthens the association, brand and marketing efforts to ensure effective communications across all departments, directors and staff.

Functions of the ISA Communications department include:

• Internal and external communications efforts targeted to farmer audiences.

• Corporate reputation and branding.

• Communications to consumer audiences.

• Youth outreach and education efforts.

• Industry relations.

Proposals are due by the close of business, 5 p.m. CT, May 1.

For additional information or questions, call Jessica Scott at 309-846-8581 or email rfp@ilsoy.org.