ISA joins RIPE Steering Committee

WASHINGTON — Rural Investment to Protect our Environment welcomed the Illinois Soybean Association to its Steering Committee.

Both organizations work for positive and impactful outcomes that benefit farmers and uphold the interests of farmers through promotion, engagement, research and education.

RIPE’s Steering Committee advises on producer engagement, contributes to policy design and makes recommendations on other opportunities that support RIPE’s mission.

It is made up of a diverse group of state, regional and national trade associations and producer groups, the newest of which being ISA, representing soybean farmers across Illinois.

RIPE is working to ensure its coalition is as relevant and far-reaching as possible, which includes welcoming organizations representing various geographies and commodities.

ISA is the seventh organization to join RIPE’s Steering Committee in the last 12 months and is one of 16 organizations in total.

“RIPE is an organization dedicated to producer empowerment and support, and by centering the voices of farmers and ranchers, we ensure our approach has the greatest impact possible,” said Tracy Travis, Wisconsin farmer and RIPE treasurer.

“We enthusiastically welcome ISA to RIPE’s Steering Committee as we work toward a common goal of developing impactful legislation for producers.”

“Joining RIPE’s Steering Committee ensures Illinois soybean farmers have a direct voice at the table in important conversations about aligning economic incentives with conservation practices to benefit farmers and rural communities,” said Corey Lacey, ISA environmental policy manager.

“We are committed to ensuring the perspectives of Illinois farmers are represented in discussions that impact the future of agriculture.”

For more information about RIPE’s coalition groups and how to get involved, including the Producer Leader Advisory Network and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Committee, contact RIPE Director of Industry Engagement Morgan Wrich at coalition@riperoadmap.org.

About RIPE

RIPE is a bipartisan, producer-led organization committed to scaling voluntary agricultural stewardship. RIPE believes agricultural producers and communities benefit in a system that aligns economic incentives with voluntary practices that enhance our soil, water and climate.

The farmers and ranchers who make up the RIPE coalition have helped develop principles that are critical to significantly scaling the adoption of voluntary conservation practices that provide the greatest return on investment for producers and the public.