Seven soybean farmers, including five newcomers, were recently elected to the Iowa Soybean Association board of directors. They will help shape policy and invest checkoff dollars to improve the competitiveness of Iowa soybean producers.

The newly-elected board members are: Rick Juchems, Plainfield (District 3); LaVerne Arndt, Sac City (District 4); Dave Walton, Wilton (District 6); Randy Miller, Lacona (District 8); and Warren Bachman, Osceola (District 8). They will be officially seated at the association’s September board meeting. Members who were re-elected to the ISA board are Rolland Schnell, Newton (District 5) and Bill Shipley, Nodaway (District 7).

MEET SCOTT NELSON: The Iowa Soybean Association last week hired Scott Nelson as the new director of ISA’s On-Farm Network. Farmers have the opportunity to meet Nelson at the ISA booth at Farm Progress Show Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at Boone.

Retiring directors are: Shelia Hebenstreit, Jefferson; Scott McGregor, Nashua; Cliff Mulder, Pella; Tom Oswald, Cleghorn; and Ed Ulch, Solon. Oswald will remain an Iowa director serving on the national board: the United Soybean Board.

Thanks to retiring directors for service, welcome new directors
“We are grateful for our outgoing directors’ dedication and service during their terms, and we say a big thank you to ISA president Wayne Fredericks for his outstanding leadership,” says Schnell, the ISA president-elect. “We also congratulate the newly elected directors and welcome the fresh perspectives and ideas they will bring to the work of our board.”

Joining Schnell and the newly elected directors on the ISA board are: ISA president Wayne Fredericks, Osage (District 2); Chuck White, Spencer and Mark Vosika, Pocahontas (District 1); April Hemmes, Hampton (District 2); Suzanne Shirbroun, Farmersburg (District 3); Randy Souder, Rockwell City (District 4); Morey Hill, Madrid (District 5); Robb Ewoldt, Blue Grass (District 6); Jeff Jorgenson, Sidney (District 7); Mark Jackson, Rose Hill and Pat Swanson, Ottumwa (District 9); Tim Bardole of Rippey, Lindsay Greiner of Keota, Stephanie Essick of Dickens as At Large directors.

Due to a clerical error, a re-vote for the final At-Large board seat will be held. New ballots are being mailed to members throughout the state and must be returned by September 12. The new director will be seated at the next board meeting.

Nelson joins ISA to lead On-Farm Network
Scott Nelson joined the Iowa Soybean Association as director of the On-Farm Network last week. In his role, Nelson will lead ISA’s efforts in production research planning and carrying out those plans and services across Iowa. He will also play a major part in partner contract research efforts and manage On-Farm Network team personnel.

 “We are delighted to welcome Scott Nelson to ISA and to our research team,” says Ed Anderson, director of ISA research. “He has credibility and respect across the ag community and the soybean industry as an insightful and trustworthy on-farm researcher. He will bring strong leadership to our On-Farm Network team, while contributing to our collaborative and integrated efforts in providing meaningful on-farm programs and services to our farmers and other stakeholders.”

Has 20 years of research experience, most recently at Beck’s
Nelson brings more than 20 years of research experience to the position. His most recent research work at Beck’s Hybrids and previous positions as agronomy research manager and research scientist with DuPont Pioneer equipped Nelson with the skills to lead the ISA On-Farm Network team to success in the future.

“The high-level work ISA does in crop management and water quality really drew me to the organization,” Nelson says. “There are so many things I’m looking forward to doing at ISA including collaborating with farmers and public scientists to positively affect soybean and corn production as well as positively affecting soil health and water management.”

Nelson earned his Master’s degree in crop physiology and production from Iowa State University and a bachelor’s in agronomy and plant genetics from University of Arizona. Farmers wanting an opportunity to meet Nelson are encouraged to stop by the ISA booth (No. 754) at the upcoming Farm Progress Show, Aug. 30-31 and Sept. 1, 2016.