Soy Envoy Class delivers in-season agronomic updates

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Illinois Soybean Association has selected six agronomic professionals to serve as the 2026 IL Soy Envoy class.

These individuals will provide timely, data-driven information to soybean farmers across Illinois throughout the growing season.

“The IL Soy Envoy program puts real time, field level information directly in farmers’ hands,” said Kelsey Litchfield, ISA agronomic outreach manager and editor of Field Advisor.

“These Envoys are in the field every day, sharing what they are seeing and turning it into practical recommendations farmers can use to improve performance and respond to challenges as they arise.”

Serving from April through October, IL Soy Envoys will deliver crop reports, agronomic updates and local recommendations through FieldAdvisor.org and the Field Advisor podcast. Their updates give farmers a clear view of field conditions and issues developing across the state.

What to expect from the 2026 IL Soy Envoy class:

• In-season crop reports from across Illinois.

• Local agronomic recommendations.

• Regular updates on FieldAdvisor.org and the Field Advisor podcast.

• Observations from the field throughout the growing season.

This year’s class represents a range of experience across Illinois agriculture, including research, retail agronomy and farming operations:

• Brandon Hall, of Wataga, location operations manager, West Central FS.

• Jamie Horton, of Woodlawn, agronomist, Pitchford Elevator.

• Scott Krone, of Rantoul, product development agronomist, GDM Seeds.

• Tim Laatsch, of Altamont, owner and president, Field Hawk Ag Research LLC.

• Matt Montgomery, of Chatham, agronomy education lead, Beck’s.

• Marissa Scott, of Newark, farmer, Friestad Farm.

Funded by the Illinois soybean checkoff, the IL Soy Envoy program connects farmers with agronomic professionals who provide research based, locally relevant recommendations throughout the season.