ISA Iowa Soybean Association : Outstanding farmer leaders recognized by Iowa Soybean Association

Ankeny, Iowa - An up and coming high school star, long-time farmer-leader and passionate 'ag-vocate' were honored at the annual Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) Awards Banquet in Des Moines. The Jan. 26 ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of past, current and future leaders of the soybean industry.

Award recipients included:
• Rising Star - Vance Ohnemus, Milo
• New Leader - Brent Renner, Klemme
• Environmental Leader - Mike Bravard, Jefferson
• Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer - Darcy Maulsby, Yetter
• Legacy of Leadership - Roy Bardole, Rippey

The Rising Star Award, presented to Ohnemus by Farm Credit Services of America recognizes an ISA member's son or daughter who's active at the local, state and national level and preparing to continue ag studies in college. Ohnemus is a high school senior and member of his family farm near Milo, Iowa. He has been highly engaged in agriculture activities during his high school career through vocational ag courses and multiple leadership roles and honors in FFA. Ohnemus utilizes every opportunity to promote agriculture including volunteer work at the Iowa State Fair where he helps educate non-farmers on modern production practices and exhibiting show cattle across the Midwest. Ohnemus plans to attend Iowa State University to pursue a degree in agricultural business this fall. The award included a $1,000 stipend to assist with educational expenses.

Brent Renner was presented the New Leader Award with the help of DuPont Pioneer. It recognizes an ISA member's outstanding involvement and commitment to promoting the soybean industry and agriculture. Renner has been farming for 16 years near Klemme. He and his wife, Nikki, have three young children and raise soybeans, corn, alfalfa and hogs. Life on the farm is busy, but the Iowa State University graduate finds time to serve fellow farmers as an ISA District Advisory Council member and policy delegate. In 2015, he was a candidate for the ISA Board and completed the ISA Experience. Renner has leadership experience with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and contributes to his community by serving as a youth group leader at his church.

The Environmental Stewardship Award, presented by Monsanto, was awarded to Mike Bravard for his commitment to conservation and championing water quality practices. A third-generation farmer from Jefferson, Bravard and his wife, Kathy, have four children who are all actively involved in the farming operation. They raise soybeans and corn as well as custom feed hogs. Committed to conservation, Bravard uses conservation tillage nitrogen stabilizers, plants cover crops as well as maintains terraces, riparian buffers and waterways. Additionally, he worked with ISA to install a bioreactor to improve nutrient management on his farm.

Cargill presented the Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer Award to Darcy Maulsby. A native of Calhoun County, Maulsby's agricultural roots inspired a passion for sharing information about where food comes from and the values of family and dedication that consumers and farm families share. Upon graduation from Iowa State University, Maulsby became a recognized journalist for a variety of agricultural organizations, with works published in local, state, national and international ag publications. Maulsby continues to report on agricultural issues and rural life through her own marketing and communications company, Darcy Maulsby & Co.

The Legacy of Leadership Award, presented by Stine Seed Company, was awarded to Roy Bardole of Rippey. The fifth-generation farmer has dedicated many years as a leader for famers, the soybean industry and the environment. Bardole is a former ISA president, American Soybean Association leader and United Soybean Board member. Most recently, he served two years as a U. S. Soybean Export Council chairman, where he played a critical role in turning it into a world-class export organization. In many ways, Bardole was instrumental in the launch of the ISA's Environmental Programs and Services due to his efforts in the early 1990s on nutrient management. Across the country and the globe, Bardole has consistently demonstrated his commitment to serving the needs of Iowa agriculture and farmers. During his time as president of the ISA, he played a critical role in pushing for more planting flexibility in the farm program and the result was a major expansion of soybean acres across the country. Also during his time as ISA president, the state and national soybean checkoffs were established.

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The Iowa Soybean Association (www.iasoybeans.com) develops policies and programs that help Iowa's more than 40,000 soybean farmers expand profit opportunities while promoting environmentally sensitive production using the soybean checkoff and other resources. The association was founded in 1964 and is governed by an elected volunteer board of 21 farmers. It strives to be honest and transparent, fact-based and data driven and committed to environmental stewardship, collaborations and partnerships.

Funded by the soybean checkoff