Iowa Soybean Association

What Iowa Soybean Association does

Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) is a farmer-led, non-profit commodity organization established in 1990 under the federal Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act, which created the national soybean checkoff program. Headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa, ISA serves the state's approximately 37,000-38,000 soybean farmers, who collectively produce nearly 14% of U.S. soybeans (ranking Iowa second nationally) across 9.93 million projected 2026 harvested acres. The organization is governed by 22 volunteer farmer-directors and operates through five affiliated entities: the Soy Transportation Coalition, Iowa Biodiesel Board, Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, AgOutcomes Inc., and Amplify Association Management.

ISA's core offerings span demand development, farmer-focused research, advocacy, and consumer ag-awareness. Its Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI) runs on-farm field trials, crop scouting, and conservation services and partnered with 1,626 farmers in 2024; the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative's N-FACT tool uses real-time weather, soil, and management data to evaluate in-season nitrogen needs. Membership tiers include Farmer Membership (for those marketing 250+ bushels annually), Advocate Membership, and the Partners+ Program for agribusinesses. Content and engagement channels include the Iowa Soybean Review magazine, Fresh Pickings consumer magazine, the Pods of Potential and Bean Scene podcasts, the State of Soy video series, and active social media across X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Revenue is generated primarily through the federally-mandated 0.5% soybean checkoff on net sales, supplemented by non-checkoff Advocate Memberships and a multi-tier corporate partnership program (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Friend) with 30+ named industry partners including AGP, Bayer, Corteva, Cargill, Syngenta, PepsiCo, ADM, Deere & Company, and Stine. By law, checkoff funds cannot support legislative activity, so ISA's policy and advocacy work is funded separately through Advocate Memberships and partnership revenue. The go-to-market is community-led, relying on farmer programming (Soy Squad, Communications Squad, Grassroots Fellowship, Young Leader, Soy Leaders Network, Experience Class), field days, trade missions, and a multi-channel digital and print content engine.

Name

Iowa Soybean Association

Legal name

Iowa Soybean Association

Website

https://iasoybeans.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Iowa Soybean Association is a farmer-led, non-profit commodity organization founded in 1990 under the federal soybean checkoff program, serving Iowa's 37,000-38,000 soybean farmers through agronomic research, market development, advocacy, and consumer ag-awareness programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Commodity Association Services

NAICS

Soybean Farming (111110), Soybean Farming (11111)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Supply Chain, Marketing & Contracting Advisory (Grain/Livestock Marketing) (AFACAJAH), Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL), Farm Technology Enablement & Data Integration Advisory (FMIS/ERP, IoT, Decision Support) (AFACAJAG)

Keywords

• Soybean commodity association
• Agricultural research services
• Farmer advocacy programs
• Checkoff-funded promotion
• Conservation agronomy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ankeny

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Soybean Checkoff: The Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act established the national soybean checkoff program in 1990. The checkoff rate is 0.5% (one-half of one percent), 50 cents for every $100 of sales, collected on the net sales price. In Iowa, the Iowa Soybean Board (ISB) serves as the Qualified State Soybean Board (QSSB) charged with collecting and administering the checkoff.
2. ISA Advocate Membership: Paid membership that supports U.S. soy policy and regulatory matters. By law, checkoff dollars cannot be used to fund legislative activities, so those activities are funded by other means including Advocate Membership.
3. Partner Investment and Sponsorship: ISA offers investment and sponsorship opportunities for businesses that work for Iowa's soybean farmers. Non-checkoff investment from Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Friend partners supports ISA activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The Iowa Soybean Association is a farmer-directed commodity organization that invests soybean checkoff dollars and member contributions into research, market development, education, advocacy, and conservation programs for Iowa soybean growers. It delivers these programs through multi-tier membership (Farmer Membership, Advocate Membership, Partners+ Program), leadership development tracks (Soy Squad, Young Leader Program, See for Yourself), and affiliated entities addressing transportation, biodiesel, water quality, and on-farm outcomes.

Product overview

Iowa Soybean Association is a farmer membership organization offering a unified portfolio of member programs, research services, and consumer engagement. Core offerings include Farmer and Advocate Memberships, the Partners+ Program for business engagement, and programs including Soy Squad, Communications Squad, Grassroots Fellowship, Young Leader Program, Soy Leaders Network, and Experience Class. The Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI) provides farmer-focused agronomic and conservation research. Publications include Iowa Soybean Review magazine and Fresh Pickings consumer magazine. Audio/video content includes the Pods of Potential podcast, The Bean Scene podcast, and State of Soy video series. Research tools include the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative and N-FACT tool. Conservation programs include Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, CommonGround Iowa, Iowa Food & Family Project, Oxbow Restoration, and Cover Crop Programs with cost-share incentives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Iowa Soybean Review: ISA's quarterly magazine covering soybean industry news, farmer profiles, research updates, and agricultural topics
• Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI)
• Fresh Pickings Magazine
• CommonGround Iowa
• Iowa Food & Family Project

Products and services

• Farmer Membership Membership tier for Iowa soybean farmers that connects them to ISA programs, research, advocacy, and governance.
• Advocate Membership Advocate-level membership tier for non-farmer supporters who back Iowa soybean farmers and the association's mission.
• Partners+ Program Partnership program for agribusiness and industry partners to collaborate with Iowa soybean farmers and ISA initiatives.
• Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI) ISA-managed research program delivering on-farm trials, agronomic innovation, and data-driven insights to Iowa soybean farmers.
• Soy Squad Farmer engagement and advocacy program that mobilizes Iowa soybean growers to support ISA's policy and promotion efforts.
• Young Leader Program Leadership development program that trains young soybean farmers and agricultural professionals for industry leadership roles.
• See for Yourself Program that exposes Iowa soybean farmers to research, markets, and end-use applications of soybeans through firsthand experiences.
• Conservation Programs Conservation programming supporting soil health, water quality, and edge-of-field practice adoption on Iowa soybean farms.

Quantifiable outcome

• $17.95 return value to growers for every checkoff dollar spent on international marketing
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and major.

• Soy Transportation Coalition (STC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeadquartered at ISA in Ankeny, STC is comprised of thirteen state soybean boards, the American Soybean Association, and the United Soybean Board. The thirteen participating states encompass 85% of total U.S. soybean production. STC's goal is positioning soybean industry stakeholders to benefit from a transportation system that delivers cost effective, reliable, and competitive service.
• Iowa Biodiesel BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresents the biodiesel industry in Iowa, from the farmers who grow the feedstock, to production, through distribution to end users. Iowa is the nation's leading state in biodiesel production.
• APG (AGP)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Partner. AGP is a cooperative providing soybean processing and export services. They joined AGP trade missions to Colombia and are a key partner in international market development.
• Bayer Crop SciencemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Partner tier of ISA partnership program
• CortevamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Partner tier of ISA partnership program; co-sponsors Corteva Young Leader Program with ISA
• FCS AmericamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Partner tier of ISA partnership program
• CargillmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Partner tier of ISA partnership program
• SyngentamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Partner tier of ISA partnership program. ISA is trialing Syngenta's new Victrato seed treatment for red crown rot management.
• ADMmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze Partner tier of ISA partnership program
• Deere & CompanymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze Partner tier of ISA partnership program. Presents Innovator in Production Research Award.
• StinemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze Partner tier of ISA partnership program. Presents Legacy of Leadership Award.
• PepsiComajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Partner tier of ISA partnership program
• American Soybean Association (ASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA works with ASA on advocacy, policy, and international market development. Joint comments with ASA and USSEC on EU biofuel policy.
• U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA works with USSEC on international market development and trade policy advocacy. Joint comments on EU ILUC standards.
• United Soybean Board (USB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSB administers the national soybean checkoff program. ISA directors serve on USB board including Suzanne Shirbroun, Robb Ewoldt, Tim Bardole, and Brent Renner. Courtney Knupp named incoming USB CEO.
• Iowa Agriculture Water AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA-affiliated organization focused on water quality and conservation in Iowa agriculture
• AgOutcomes, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA-affiliated organization working on conservation programs including Soil and Water Outcomes Fund partnership
• Amplify Association ManagementcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerISA-affiliated organization providing association management services
• Clean Fuels Alliance AmericamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on renewable fuels and biofuels market development; Excel Engineering conducts testing for Clean Fuels Alliance America
• Excel EngineeringmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany tests engines, powertrains and fuel technologies including fuels made from soybean-derived products; helps evaluate renewable fuel performance for manufacturers
• The DeLong CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTC and Wisconsin Marketing Board committed $200,000 to expand DeLong's Agricultural Maritime Export Facility in Milwaukee for soy export capabilities
• Wisconsin Marketing BoardmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted $200,000 with STC to expand Great Lakes export capacity through The DeLong Company's facility

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• United Soybean Board: National checkoff-funded body that invests U.S. soybean checkoff dollars in research, market development, and promotion. Comparable to ISA as a checkoff-funded soybean organization; ISA directors serve on USB and the two organizations jointly administer checkoff strategy.
• American Soybean Association: National policy and advocacy organization for U.S. soybean farmers. Directly comparable to ISA as a peer farmer-led commodity association; ISA coordinates with ASA on federal policy and international market development, representing the same farmer base at the national level.
• Illinois Soybean Association: State-level soybean checkoff and membership organization serving Illinois farmers. Closest geographic and structural peer to ISA - both are Qualified State Soybean Boards offering checkoff-funded research, market development, and advocacy for soybean growers.
• Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council: Minnesota's soybean checkoff body. Comparable to ISA as a neighboring Midwest state QSSB with overlapping farmer base and similar agronomic research priorities.
• Indiana Soybean Alliance: Indiana's soybean checkoff and membership organization. Directly comparable to ISA in structure (unified checkoff/non-checkoff), mission, and program offerings across research, market development, and advocacy.
• Nebraska Soybean Board: Qualified State Soybean Board administering checkoff investments in Nebraska. Comparable to ISA as a peer state QSSB investing farmer checkoff dollars in research, promotion, and education.
• Wisconsin Soybean Association: Wisconsin's state soybean checkoff and membership organization. Co-investor with ISA (via STC) in The DeLong Company export facility expansion; directly comparable peer QSSB.

Broad incumbents

• American Farm Bureau Federation: Largest U.S. general-farm advocacy organization. Comparable to ISA as a broader-scope farmer advocacy and policy organization; ISA coordinates on overlapping policy priorities but AFB operates across all commodities nationally.
• U.S. Soybean Export Council: National export-promotion body funded by USB checkoff that manages international market development for U.S. soy. Comparable to ISA's international marketing function at a national scale; ISA coordinates market-development activity with USSEC.

Emerging players

• National Corn Growers Association: National commodity association for corn growers with a structurally similar farmer-led, checkoff-adjacent model. Comparable to ISA as an adjacent commodity organization competing for farmer attention, agribusiness sponsorship dollars, and policy influence in Iowa.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iowasoybeans
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/IowaSoybeanAssn
• Facebookfacebook.com/IowaSoybeans
• Instagraminstagram.com/iowasoybean

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Iowa Soybean Association