WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an effort to help young leaders become more engaged at the state, national and global levels, a decade ago the Illinois Soybean Assoc. (ISA) started its ambassador program.

Every two years, 5-10 members of the soybean industry in Illinois are named ambassadors of the Illinois soybean industry. They travel to various conferences and countries to participate in programs, said David Headley, manager of the initiative.

“No other state has a program like this,” he said. He was an ambassador from 2008-10 and never planned to remain part of the program when he started but, when he finished, they asked him to manage it.

“I see more about value of soybeans beyond the United States. I see people using soy in places that I wouldn’t have imagined before,” Headley said – soy is used in window cleaners, bathroom cleaners, soups and hundreds of other items.

“It opened my eyes to a world of soybeans that I didn’t know before. I thought it was a good leadership opportunity to learn more about soy and productive practices. I didn’t realize all the stuff I was going to learn.”

The program continues doing the same for other soybean growers in the state. When it began, it had a state and regional focus. Headley said it now has a more global focus. Anyone in the industry used to be able to apply to be in the program, but only growers can apply now.

This past application cycle taught Headley that Internet access and use of email were essential for candidates; it became a new requirement for the program. He said his first term as manager also taught him he needed to be more proactive, following up with the ambassadors to make sure they understood all the information, rather than assuming they do.

“This group is doing wonderful. They’re all engaged. They’re all active on the family farms,” Headley said. “I’m really excited about this class and the potential these folks have.”

The current team has seven members, selected from about 15 applicants. Each member attends as many events as possible, at no expense to themselves. Part of the soybean checkoff, paid by farmers as they sell their soybeans, is used to fund the program, Headley said.

Half goes to the ISA, which divides the funds into different line items. One of those is the ambassador program. The funding available helps determine the number of ambassadors the program will have during a given cycle.

Cassie DeJaynes, one of the current soy ambassadors from LaHarpe, said she didn’t know much about the checkoff before this. Since joining, she’s learned of the different programs the tax funds and how it affects each individual farmer, not just the ambassador program.

As an ambassador, this corn and soybean farmer who is also involved in a cow-calf herd volunteers her time and efforts for the program. Then, she’s expected to play a key role in the industry when the program ends. “We get educated to fill those industry roles through the (ambassadorship),” she said.

DeJaynes said past ambassadors hold positions on the ISA board of directors and Executive Committee, United Soybean Board, American Soybean Assoc. and the U.S. Soybean Export Council.

Other ambassadors in this cycle are Matthew DeSutter of Woodhull, a partner in a family corn and soybean farming operation; Frank Legner of Odell, who farms corn and soybeans and is a precision farming consultant.

Additionally, Kate Longley of Aledo, who farms corn and soybeans, including seed soybeans; Jeff Lynn of Oakford, part of a family farm growing corn and soybeans and seed soybeans; Jenny Mennenga of LeRoy, who farms corn and soybeans with her family and has a small cow-calf herd; and Austin Rincker of Moweaqua, who manages a corn and soybean farm with a small herd of Angus cows.

Headley said the ambassadors have already attended several events to gain knowledge, but trips to Guatemala and Nicaragua this summer will be a good time to gauge how they are doing.

“They’ll be looking at school feeding programs to see how their soy is being used to supplement for the lack of … meat,” Headley said. The ambassadors may have a chance to see how soy products are used in baby formula.

The program is already accepting applicants for the next cycle, which will begin November 2014; the application deadline is July 1, 2014 (it may be incorrectly listed as 2013 on the website). 

To learn more information about the program or apply, visit www.ilsoy.org