American Soybean Association

What American Soybean Association does

The American Soybean Association (ASA) is a private non-profit membership trade association founded in 1920, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with a federal policy office in Washington, D.C. It represents more than 500,000 U.S. soybean farmers through 26 affiliated state soybean associations covering 30 soybean-producing states. ASA's core function is policy advocacy on domestic issues (farm bill, crop protection tools, biofuels, sustainability regulation) and international trade negotiation support, alongside market development, sustainability assurance, and farmer leadership programs.

ASA's product portfolio is built around advocacy, education, and certification rather than commercial technology. Core digital products include the Soy Action Center (a VoterVoice-powered advocacy platform enabling farmer contact with legislators and bill tracking), SoyPAC (a political action committee with a $5,000 maximum annual individual contribution cap), and the Ag Data Transparency Evaluator (a 10-question contract review tool for precision-agriculture vendors). Certification and licensing assets include the Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP), under which 95% of U.S. soybean producers participate via USDA partnership, and the Soy Ink Seal trademark licensing program, which charges royalties tied to minimum soybean-oil content standards (7%–40% depending on ink type). International market development is delivered through wholly-owned subsidiaries WISHH (World Initiative for Soy in Human Health) and USSEC (U.S. Soybean Export Council).

Revenue is generated through a mix of recurring membership dues, Soybean Checkoff program allocations, Soy Ink Seal licensing royalties (renewed annually January 1, pro-rated quarterly), SoyPAC voluntary contributions, and corporate sponsorship of leadership programs. Distribution runs through the grassroots state affiliate network (primary channel for membership and engagement), the Soy Action Center (self-service advocacy), and international offices under WISHH/USSEC. The organization is structured as a federation with policy flowing from individual farmers through state affiliates to annual delegate meetings.

Name

American Soybean Association

Legal name

American Soybean Association

Website

https://soygrowers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The American Soybean Association is a 100-year-old non-profit trade association representing more than 500,000 U.S. soybean farmers across 30 states, delivering policy advocacy, sustainability certification (SSAP), and international market development through state affiliates and subsidiaries WISHH and USSEC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Trade Association Services

NAICS

Oilseed and Grain Farming (1111), Soybean Farming (111110), Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (926140)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Supply Chain, Marketing & Contracting Advisory (Grain/Livestock Marketing) (AFACAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Soybean Farming (AFAGABAA), Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL), Farm Technology Enablement & Data Integration Advisory (FMIS/ERP, IoT, Decision Support) (AFACAJAG)

Keywords

• Agricultural trade association
• Soybean farmer advocacy
• Policy advocacy services
• Sustainability certification programs
• International market development

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: ASA represents soybean farmers with 26 affiliated state associations. Individual farmer membership provides revenue support.
2. Soy Ink Seal Licensing Royalties: ASA licenses the Soy Ink Seal for soy-based ink products. License agreements renew annually on January 1 with royalty payments pro-rated by quarter.
3. SoyPAC Political Contributions: SoyPAC accepts voluntary contributions from ASA members to support political candidates. Maximum annual individual contribution is $5,000.
4. Soybean Checkoff: Farmer-funded checkoff programs support market development, research, and industry education activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ASA is a membership-based trade association that delivers policy advocacy, trade promotion, and market development services on behalf of U.S. soybean farmers. Its portfolio includes grassroots advocacy via the Soy Action Center, sustainability certification through the SSAP protocol, the Soy Ink Seal trademark licensing program, SoyPAC political engagement, international market development through WISHH and USSEC, leadership development programs, and industry publications such as American Soybean Magazine and Soy Stats.

Product overview

The American Soybean Association operates as a membership-based agricultural trade association representing U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international policy issues. ASA's product portfolio consists primarily of advocacy and member services delivered through digital platforms (Soy Action Center, SoyPAC), educational publications (American Soybean Magazine, Soy Stats, Soybean Success Report), and professional development programs (Leadership at its Best, Young Leader Program, Ag Voices of the Future). The organization also administers niche product programs including the Soy Ink Seal licensing system, Conservation Legacy Awards, Soy Scholarship, and the Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol. International market development is handled through WISHH and USSEC partnerships. The Association does not offer a commercial software product but rather provides member services, advocacy tools, educational resources, and certification programs for the soybean farming community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Soy Action Center: Advocacy platform for policy campaigns, legislator information, and farmer engagement
• SoyPAC
• Soy Ink Seal
• WISHH
• USSEC
• Soy Scholarship
• Conservation Legacy Awards

Products and services

• Soy Action Center

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of U.S. soybean producers participate in SSAP sustainability verification program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ASA Action Partnership (ASAAP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Started in 2011 to create new level of communication, commitment and partnership between stakeholders. Includes state QSSB members (Delaware Soybean Board, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Iowa Soybean Association, etc.), industry members (ADM, AGP, BASF, Bayer, Corteva, etc.), and national organizations (USB, USSEC, Walton Family Foundation).
• United Soybean Board (USB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization member of ASAAP. Works with ASA on checkoff-funded programs for market promotion, research, and industry education.
• U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational market development partner promoting U.S. soy quality and uses overseas. ASA's partner organization for global trade promotion.
• WISHH (World Initiative for Soy in Human Health)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASA's long-term market development program for international programs. Dedicated to developing food and feed uses for U.S. soy in emerging markets.
• ADM (Archer Daniels Midland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry member of ASAAP. Major soybean processor and exporter involved in collaboration on industry issues and policy advocacy.
• BASFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry member of ASAAP and sponsor of Soy Scholarship ($7,000 award for high school seniors pursuing agricultural degrees). Active in Innovation to Market Work Group.
• Bayer Crop SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry member of ASAAP. Active in biotechnology and crop protection advocacy. Sponsor of Conservation Legacy Awards.
• Corteva AgrisciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry member of ASAAP and sponsor of ASA-Corteva Young Leader Program. Active in Innovation to Market Work Group.
• John DeereminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry member of ASAAP. Collaborates on precision agriculture and technology issues affecting soybean production.
• SyngentacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry member of ASAAP and sponsor of Leadership at its Best (LAIB) program. Active in Innovation to Market Work Group.
• Walton Family FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization member of ASAAP. Provides funding for sustainability initiatives and ASA/Walton Family Foundation Grants program.
• Clean Fuels Alliance AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational trade association representing U.S. biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel. ASA represented on CFA Board. Collaborates on biofuels policy.
• Soy Transportation Coalition (STC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition comprised of USB, state soybean boards, and ASA working on transportation issues. Meets approximately three times per year and engages in advocacy activities.
• Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASA is a member. Coalition of farmers, forest owners, food sector, state governments, and environmental advocates working on federal climate legislation recommendations.
• Farmers for a Sustainable Future (FSF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASA is a founding member. Agricultural coalition promoting voluntary stewardship investments and working with policymakers on sustainable practices.
• Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFocused on waterways infrastructure (locks and dams). ASA collaborates on advocacy for inland waterways funding and improvements.
• Farmers for Soil HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASA is a supporting partner. Collaboration of Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff, and National Corn Growers to advance cover crop use and soil health practices.
• Innovation to Market Work Group (I2M)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsultative forum for biotech trait developers, crop protection registrants, and gene-edited soybean developers. Members include BASF, Bayer, Corteva, FMC, Inari, Syngenta, UPL. Meets twice yearly with at least one meeting in Washington, D.C.
• BayerminorOthersSponsor of Conservation Legacy Awards program recognizing environmentally friendly and profitable farm management practices.
• Valent USAminorOthersSponsor of Conservation Legacy Awards program and Ag Voices of the Future program.
• NutrienminorOthersSponsor of Conservation Legacy Awards program.
• United Soybean Board (USB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint webinar series on technology and sustainability with ASA. Co-sponsor of educational content for soybean farmers.
• Keystone Policy Center - Monarch CollaborativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASA is a member of the Collaborative working to strengthen monarch populations and habitat through voluntary conservation practices on farmland.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Farmers Union: Long-standing U.S. farm advocacy organization with comparable grassroots policy, membership, and lobbying model, but broader crop mandate and historical cooperative orientation.
• American Farm Bureau Federation: Largest U.S. general agricultural membership organization; comparable advocacy and member-services model but multi-commodity scope (livestock, dairy, grains) versus ASA's soybean specialization.

Direct peers

• National Corn Growers Association: Mirror trade association for U.S. corn farmers; co-hosts Commodity Classic with ASA and operates an analogous state-affiliate, checkoff, and policy-advocacy model. Most direct functional peer.
• U.S. Wheat Associates: Trade and export-promotion association for U.S. wheat producers; structurally analogous to USSEC/ASA model of grower-funded international market development and policy advocacy.
• U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC): ASA's wholly owned subsidiary for international export promotion; structurally and operationally comparable to other commodity export councils representing U.S. agricultural interests abroad.
• United Soybean Board: The checkoff-funded counterpart to ASA for U.S. soybean promotion, research, and market development. Operates as a sister organization with overlapping leadership and joint programs.
• National Cotton Council of America: U.S. cotton industry's umbrella trade association with a similar checkoff, federal policy advocacy, and international market development structure as ASA.
• National Cattlemen's Beef Association: U.S. beef industry trade association operating the analogous producer-funded checkoff, policy advocacy, and Beef Checkoff-funded market development model.

Emerging players

• Clean Fuels Alliance America: Trade association for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and SAF producers; ASA holds a board seat and collaborates on biofuels policy. Overlap in soybean-biodiesel market development mission.
• Farmers for a Sustainable Future: ASA is a founding member. Coalition of farm groups focused on voluntary sustainability stewardship and federal climate policy; comparable policy advocacy mission with sustainability lens.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=T5SO1hlbHW0
• Facebookfacebook.com/AmericanSoybeanAssociation
• Instagraminstagram.com/americansoybean
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-soybean-association
• Xx.com/ASA_Soybeans

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries4 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 American Soybean Association