By Courtney Heiser

Advocacy is the core of the Ohio Soybean Association (OSA). In July, OSA farmer leaders traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for critical issues impacting the soybean industry. Board members also attended the American Soybean Association (ASA) board meeting and Soy Issues Briefing.

“We must advocate for these issues to educate our representatives as to what goes on our farms and explain how specific issues like the China 301 tariffs are affecting us at home,” said Bret Davis, who is an OSA board member, secretary of ASA and a farmer from Delaware County.

Coinciding with the visit was the third annual Ag Voices of the Future program, an opportunity for college-aged students to improve their understanding about policy issues directly impacting soybean farmers. The program also focuses on the importance of advocacy and networking with other agricultural leaders.

This year, a select group of ten students participated in the Ag Voices of the Future program. Ohio was represented by Kolesen McCoy of Springfield and Tyler Zimpfer of Anna.

“The two most important things to me in my future career are being with people and working in agriculture. I believe ‘ag’vocacy ties those two things together,” McCoy said.

“The highlight of my trip consisted of the day spent advocating for soybean industry priorities on Capitol Hill,” Zimpfer said. “It was encouraging to feel the support from the people in my group. I always felt comfortable to share my thoughts towards issues, but also found great inspiration in hearing the wisdom each one of the farmers and professionals shared as well.”

OSA welcomed McCoy and Zimpfer during the visits with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill. Major topics of discussion during the Hill visits included USMCA, China tariffs, trade, biodiesel, and transportation.

• USMCA: OSA pushed for the completion and passage of USMCA. This trade agreement will restore market certainty to export markets for soybean growers. With the passage of USMCA, farmers will have access to a vital marketplace which will generate jobs to boost both national and rural economies.
• China/trade: Members of Congress are still aware of the China/trade issue, but the Administration’s next move is still unclear. However, board members took advantage of their time with their representatives to address their concerns and urge for the removal of the China 301 tariffs to allow for more soybeans to be sold and reestablish the market.
• Biodiesel: OSA expressed support for a multi-year extension of the biodiesel tax credit. This tax credit allowed blenders of biodiesel to claim a credit of $1 per gallon against their U.S. federal tax liability and was crucial to sustain biofuels jobs, diversify the fuels market, and improve U.S. energy security. Approximately half of U.S. biodiesel is produced from soybean oil, which drives demand for soybeans.
• Transportation: Board members also highlighted the Mississippi River deepening project. A deeper river will allow both larger ships to be utilized and current ships being utilized to be loaded with more freight. Representatives understood the benefits to Ohio and seemed very supportive of the project.

While in D.C., OSA board member Rusty Goebel invited Rep. Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) to visit his farm in Stryker, Ohio. At the beginning of August, Latta and his staff visited with local farmers, ag professionals, and industry leaders to talk about weather, trade, water quality and mental health best practices for dealing with stress.

Overall, the trip to D.C. was successful. The farmer leaders of OSA were able to address their concerns and express support on crucial issues currently facing the soybean industry. Learn more about the progress of these issues here.