View from the Cab: Connecting ag to tech

By: Kent Casson

The Illinois Soybean Association has announced a new program that connects agricultural tech companies with farmers interested in testing the latest on-farm innovations. Funded by the checkoff program from the Illinois Soybean Association, AgTechConnect matches farmers with companies seeking on-farm testing partners. Ag tech companies then work directly with farmers to arrange details for trials and product evaluations. By offering farmers the opportunity to be the first to try the latest agricultural innovations, providing ag tech companies the opportunity to gain valuable farmer input for product development, AgTechConnect is a win-win for both Illinois soybean farmers and ag tech companies, says the Illinois Soybean Association. “The AgTechConnect program provides farmers the opportunity to test new innovations on their farm under their management system, encouraging the development of these technologies to help farmers improve their yield, profitability, and sustainability,” said Steve Pitstick, Illinois Soybean Association Vice Chairman. If you are a farmer interested in learning about ag tech opportunities, an online form is available through the Illinois Soybean Association. The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff and membership programs represent more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois. The checkoff funds market development and utilization efforts while the membership program supports the government relations interests of Illinois soybean farmers at the local, state, and national level, through the Illinois Soybean Growers.

ISA upholds the interests of Illinois soybean producers through promotion, advocacy, and education with the vision of becoming a market leader in sustainable soybean production and profitability. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org.