Sen. Pat Roberts (left) focuses on soybean farmer priorities and is dedicated to protecting growers at their weakest.

The American Soybean Association (ASA) will present its Soy Champion Award to Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas. The award is given twice yearly to recognize exemplary representation of soybean farmers and soy-related issues by elected officials.

“When we look to Capitol Hill for leaders that understand the everyday challenges that farmers face, Pat Roberts has distinguished himself as among our best advocates, year after year," said ASA Vice President Bob Henry, a farmer from Robinson, Kan. "In his time as House Agriculture Committtee Chair, and Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member, Sen. Roberts has continued to demonstrate a fluent understanding of the complex farming issues, not just for Kansas farmers, but for farmers in all corners of soybean country."

Sen. Roberts was first elected from Kansas’ “Big First” congressional district in 1980 to the House of Representatives, where he would go on to serve as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Roberts was elected to the Senate in 1996, where he served farmers as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

“Most importantly, Sen. Roberts has gone to the mat time and time again to protect the risk management and safety net framework that helps to keep American farmers producing from year to year, even in the face of disastrous weather and generational drought,” Henry added. “He’s always been there for us; ready and available to meet in Washington, or join us on our farms to see what’s actually happening on the ground. He understands and champions our issues because he knows their importance to us as Kansas farmers, and for that we’re very grateful.”

ASA will present the award to Sen. Roberts later in the year.