Virginia Soybean Association

What Virginia Soybean Association does

The Virginia Soybean Association is a private, non-profit membership organization representing soybean producers across the Commonwealth of Virginia. It operates alongside the separately-administered Virginia Soybean Board, which manages the state soybean checkoff — a mandatory half-of-one-percent assessment on every soybean sale in Virginia — funding production research, marketing, and educational activities. Together, the dual-entity structure serves Virginia's soybean farmers, who harvest an average of 16.6 million bushels annually (5-year average), generating approximately $165.7 million in crop value to the state each year at a 30.7 bushel-per-acre yield average.

The organization's core "products" are not technology platforms but rather a portfolio of member programs and services. These include the annual Virginia Soybean Yield Contest (three categories, $4,000 total prize purse), college scholarship awards (up to $1,000 for undergraduate and graduate students; $500 for associate's degrees), the Virginia Grain & Soybean Annual Conference, the VA Ag Expo, Field Days at research stations, regional producer dinners, teacher resources via Virginia Ag in the Classroom, and the Virginia Ag Pest & Crop Advisory newsletter. The association allocates nearly 50% of its operating budget to production research at Virginia universities, primarily through Virginia Tech's Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

Revenue is generated through three streams: (1) the statutory checkoff assessment (transaction-fee model) administered via the Virginia Soybean Board, (2) individual membership dues of $60 for one year or $165 for three years, which include a complimentary American Soybean Association membership (subscription model), and (3) tiered event sponsorships ($500 hospitality, $750 dinner, $1,000 event sponsor). Distribution occurs through a self-serve online membership portal, direct event registration, a 7-area board network, and partner channels including ASA, USB, USSEC, VDACS, Virginia Agribusiness Council, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Virginia Grain Producers Association, and Virginia Cooperative Extension. The organization does not develop proprietary technology and is not venture-backed; it operates from a Goochland, VA mailing address and a Williamsburg, VA physical office.

Name

Virginia Soybean Association

Legal name

Virginia Soybean Association

Website

https://vasoybean.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Virginia Soybean Association is a private, non-profit commodity organization representing Virginia soybean farmers through advocacy, checkoff-funded research, scholarships, yield contests, and educational events including the VA Ag Expo and Annual Conference.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Commodity Association

NAICS

Soybean Farming (11111), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYAFAGABAA

Soybean Farming

Agriculture & Food Production/Crop Farming/Oilseed & Pulse Farming (Soybeans, Canola, Sunflower, Peas, Lentils, Beans)

Keywords

• Soybean checkoff programs
• Agricultural commodity association
• Farmer advocacy services
• Agricultural research funding
• Farmer education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Goochland

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: Mandatory assessment of one-half of 1 percent (.005 times) of the selling price of soybeans. Administered by the Virginia Soybean Board for production research, marketing, and educational purposes to increase demand for U.S. soybeans.
2. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees that also provide complementary membership to the American Soybean Association. Membership dollars fund advocacy efforts for soy-specific issues.
3. Event Sponsorships: Sponsorship revenue from annual conferences and events including Event Sponsor ($1,000), Dinner Sponsor ($750), and Hospitality Sponsor ($500) tiers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Virginia Soybean Association is a nonprofit commodity organization that serves Virginia soybean farmers through membership-based advocacy, funded research at Virginia universities, farmer education events (Annual Conference, VA Ag Expo, Field Days), yield contests with cash prizes, scholarships, and bundled American Soybean Association membership. It complements the Virginia Soybean Board which administers the mandatory state soybean checkoff assessment for production research, marketing, and education. The core deliverable is a portfolio of member services, educational programs, and policy representation rather than a physical or software product.

Product overview

The Virginia Soybean Association is a non-profit agricultural association serving Virginia's soybean farmers. Rather than a unified software product, the organization offers a portfolio of member programs and services including the annual Soybean Yield Contest, scholarship opportunities, educational events (Annual Conference, VA Ag Expo, Field Days), pest management resources through Virginia Cooperative Extension, soy nutrition and uses education, and teacher resources. The association also provides membership services including policy advocacy and ASA partnership benefits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VSA Membership
• Virginia Grain & Soybean Annual Conference
• VA Ag Expo
• Field Days
• Virginia Soybean Yield Contest
• Scholarship Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 16.6 million bushels harvested annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Soybean Association (ASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASA represents U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international policy issues. Has 26 affiliated state associations representing 30 soybean-producing states and more than 300,000 soybean farmers. VSA members receive complimentary ASA membership, enabling access to policy advocacy in Washington D.C. and member discounts.
• United Soybean Board (USB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner78 farmer-directors oversee investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities. USB invests and leverages checkoff funds to build preference for U.S. soy in meal, oil, and sustainability. Virginia Soybean Board nominates farmer-leaders to serve on USB.
• US Soybean Export CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network of international offices building preference for U.S. soybeans and soybean products, advocating for soy use in feed, aquaculture, and human consumption, promoting benefits through education, and connecting industry leaders.
• Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished 1877, VDACS promotes economic growth and development of Virginia agriculture, provides consumer protection, and encourages environmental stewardship. Houses Program Director for VSB checkoff projects.
• Virginia Agribusiness CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSA partners with Virginia Agribusiness Council for advocacy efforts on behalf of Virginia's soybean farmers regarding soy-specific issues.
• Virginia Farm Bureau FederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSA partners with Virginia Farm Bureau Federation for advocacy efforts on behalf of Virginia's soybean farmers regarding soy-specific issues in Richmond, Washington D.C. and beyond.
• Virginia Grain Producers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts the annual Virginia Grain & Soybean Annual Conference and VA Ag Expo with VSA. Provides joint sponsorship of agricultural events in Virginia.
• Virginia Cooperative ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Virginia Cooperative Extension for research dissemination and educational programming. Extension specialists provide pest advisory services (350+ subscribers) and soybean agronomy expertise through Tidewater AREC.
• Virginia Tech - Tidewater ARECcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirginia Tech's Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center conducts soybean research. Dr. Carrie Ortel serves as Soybean Agronomist providing extension services. VSB allocates nearly 50% of budget to production research at Virginia universities including Virginia Tech.
• Animal Agriculture CoalitionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnimal agriculture is U.S. soy's No. 1 customer. Coalition works to protect U.S. soy's share of the animal feed market against alternative feed ingredients and competition from other countries.
• Aquaculture with SoyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal demand for seafood growing at unprecedented rate. By 2030, additional 41 million tons of fish per year needed. Aquaculture is the solution and soy-based feed is the most sustainable and healthful alternative to traditional fish-based aquafeeds.
• QUALISOYminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndependent third-party collaboration promoting development and market for latest soybean traits. Partners with entire U.S. soy value chain from seed companies to food manufacturers and animal feed producers.
• CommonGroundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFarmers serve as resource to educate families about food and farming. Helps connect consumers with farmers who raise food in Virginia.
• Virginia Ag in the ClassroomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide educational program providing resources, training, and support to connect children to agriculture. Provides AITC-designed lessons, educator training workshops, newsletters, school grants, and Agriculture Literacy Week initiatives.
• 4-HminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNation's largest youth development organization helping young people gain skills needed to be proactive forces in their communities and develop ideas for a more innovative economy.
• National FFA OrganizationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFFA welcomes members aspiring to careers as teachers, doctors, scientists, business owners and more. VSA supports Virginia FFA dedicated to developing students' potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
• The Soyfoods CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMission to serve as catalyst, leader and facilitator to mainstream soy-based foods into the global marketplace.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• National Corn Growers Association: Adjacent commodity association representing U.S. corn farmers. Comparable federal/state checkoff dynamics, ASA-equivalent policy advocacy structure, and farmer membership model relevant as a competing row-crop constituency.
• United Soybean Board: National checkoff board (78 farmer-directors) that oversees investment of the national soy checkoff. Functionally related as the umbrella for VSA's checkoff funds flowing to USB and the entity to which VSA nominates farmer-leaders.
• US Soybean Export Council: Global market development organization building international preference for U.S. soybeans. Ecosystem peer within the U.S. soy value chain that VSA partners with to drive long-term export demand.

Direct peers

• Illinois Soybean Association: State soybean checkoff and membership organization for Illinois growers, with the same dual structure of state checkoff board plus membership-driven advocacy arm. Directly comparable governance, research funding, and yield contest programs.
• North Carolina Soybean Producers Association: Regional/state soybean association covering the Carolinas with parallel farmer advocacy, research investment, and ASA-affiliated membership structure. Strong peer given geographic adjacency and similar tobacco-belt row crop base.
• Virginia Grain Producers Association: State commodity association co-hosting the Annual Conference and VA Ag Expo with VSA. Direct peer in structure and audience (Virginia row-crop farmers), with overlapping but distinct membership bases.
• Iowa Soybean Association: State-level soybean association representing Iowa soybean farmers with similar advocacy, research funding, and member service model. Closest direct peer in terms of organizational structure, checkoff-funded research portfolio, and ASA affiliation, though operating at significantly larger scale.
• Ohio Soybean Council: State checkoff-funded soybean promotion and research organization for Ohio farmers. Comparable state-level research funding, marketing, and producer education programs to VSA.
• Indiana Soybean Alliance: State soybean checkoff and membership organization for Indiana, with similar checkoff-funded research, policy advocacy, and membership programs to VSA.

Broad incumbents

• American Soybean Association: National soybean farmer advocacy organization representing 300,000+ farmers across 26 state associations. Directly comparable to VSA as its national umbrella, providing policy advocacy in Washington D.C. and serving as VSA's primary strategic partner through complimentary membership integration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/vasoybean
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/virginia-soybean-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Virginia Soybean Association