Lumpe: Feel the power of two at Farm Progress Show

It’s been said two heads are better than one. The Illinois Soybean Association and IL Corn will put that theory to test at this year’s Farm Progress Show, together sharing our priorities and people so we can deliver twice the impact during this one, great event.

The Farm Progress Show will be held Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at its permanent site near Decatur, Illinois. Along with IL Corn, we will showcase collaborative efforts in the areas of conservation, new uses, livestock, biofuels, trade and advocacy, and Illinois Farm Families.

Conservation and sustainability are priority topics for corn and soybean farmers. Under the conservation umbrella, we will have representatives on hand to talk about Precision Conservation Management and the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership.

PCM provides one-on-one support to help farmers understand the costs and benefits of adopting new conservation practices, while ISAP works to increase the technical capacity of ag professionals and to utilize data that encourages adoption of in-field and edge-of-field practices that reduce nutrient loss, minimize risk and increase farmer profits.

Tying in with our conservation work will be an area in the tent featuring ILSoyAdvisor, the Illinois Certified Crop Adviser Program and CCA Soy Envoy activities. The space will have a rainfall simulator for discussion along with small pollinator gardens near the tent for observation.

If you want to learn more about new uses, we will have both corn- and soy-based consumer products on display, in addition to officials from new uses research labs eager to share their work.

The Illinois Pork Producers Association and Illinois Beef Association will also have an area in the tent to highlight synergies between livestock and Illinois corn and soybean farmers.

Biofuels is always a topic that draws interest at the Farm Progress Show, and this year is no different. ISA will display Shelbyville farmer and director Elliott Uphoff’s grain truck, which is wrapped with promotional biodiesel artwork.

IL Corn is planning biofuels promotions as well including providing information specific to the Next Generation Fuels Act. The American Lung Association will also be in the tent discussing the environmental and health benefits of biofuels.

Advocacy and trade are top missions for the Illinois Corn Growers Association and Illinois Soybean Growers’ Voice for Soy program. Visitors interested in our non-checkoff funded actions can ask questions and learn more about legislative and regulatory priorities for both commodities. In addition, national corn and soybean organizations will be available to talk trade.

Illinois Farm Families is a successful education effort that both corn and soybean farmers have supported for several years, communicating information to consumers about food and the people who grow it. Learn what the group is doing now to move the needle with our urban neighbors.

And finally, if you want to pull up a chair and cool off, we will have a small “movie” theater in the tent. We will play videos to inform farmers about these and other activities underway.

Swing by for doughnuts and soy lattes in the tent each morning, too, and experience “the power of two.” We will show you how our teams are working for all Illinois corn and soybean farmers.

John Lumpe is CEO of the Illinois Soybean Association.