ASA is a leading collaborator and partner with a number of like-minded associations, organizations and coalitions. By creating strong alliances with others, ASA can better leverage resources and have a greater impact on policy in these specific areas that has a direct impact on the profitability of soybean growers. Click on the topics below to learn more about ASA alliances with other groups.
The Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports is an ad hoc coalition of organizations representing farmers and ranchers, fishermen and forest product producers, cooperatives, small businesses, regional trade organizations, and the State Departments of Agriculture, specifically those participating in the Market Access Program (MAP), administered by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. The Coalition believes the U.S. must continue to have in place policies and programs that help maintain the ability of American agriculture to compete effectively in a global marketplace which is still characterized by subsidized foreign competition.
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The Ag Bioeconomy Coalition was founded by ASA and other leading industry associations to advance federal policy initiatives that can foster growth in the agriculture bioeconomy. The coalition also serves as a forum and platform for information sharing about the ag bioeconomy for stakeholders within the industry.
Farmers for Monarchs – A Keystone Collaborative consists of national organizations representing farmers, ranchers, and land owners; businesses working along the agricultural supply chain; researchers and academic institutions; federal and state entities; and conservation organizations. Because monarch populations have declined and they face serious challenges, The Farmers for Monarchs – A Keystone Collaborative is working to identify how partnerships in the farming and ranching community can support and enhance habitat for a sustainable monarch population.
SoAR advocates for additional agricultural research support, including full funding of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, USDA’s flagship competitive grants program. The 16-member board encompasses academia, scientific societies, and farm groups.
National C-FAR is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, consensus-based and customer-led coalition that brings food, agriculture, nutrition, conservation and natural resource stakeholders together with the food and agriculture research community, serving as a forum and a unified voice in support of sustaining and increasing public investment at the national level in food and agricultural research, extension and education. N-CFAR advocates for increased ag research across all federal ag research areas and programs, including extension and education.
In 2014, ASA joined together with farm groups and ag tech providers to address growing concerns about the variety of new ag data products that were arriving on the market.
The groups came to consensus around a set of core principles, called The Privacy and Security Principles for Farm Data. From there, the groups formed the Ag Data Transparency Evaluator, Inc., a non-profit organization (ADT) to audit companies’ ag data contracts. This organization developed the Ag Data Transparent seal of approval. Much like the Good Housekeeping seal of approval verifies compliance with Good Housekeeping’s standards, the Ag Data Transparent seal recognizes compliance with ag data’s Core Principles.
Clean Fuels Alliance America is the national trade association representing the U.S. biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel. CFA serves as the coordinating body on governmental affairs, education, communication, technical and quality assurance programs. ASA is represented on the CFA Board, along with state, national, and international feedstock and feedstock processor organizations, biodiesel suppliers, fuel marketers and distributors, and technology providers.
The STC, comprised of the United Soybean Board, state soybean boards and ASA, works on transportation issues that impact soybeans and funds studies and analysis of transportation issues. STC meets approximately three times per year. STC also raises some non-checkoff funds so it can engage in advocacy activities in coordination with ASA.
WCI is focused on waterways infrastructure (locks and dams). Other members include state soybean associations, the National Corn Growers Association, Cargill, Bunge, ADM, shipping companies, coal, chemical, steel, and other industries. WCI has a weekly call and provides weekly electronic communications. They have an annual meeting with Hill visits in Washington, D.C., in early spring and another annual conference in the fall at various locations.
This coalition is currently focused on dredging, maintenance and federal funding for those activities. It is led by Louisiana maritime and port industries and includes several agribusiness companies. ASA’s engagement with the Big River Coalition is likely to increase due to the shared interest in securing federal funding for the expanded dredging to deepen the Mississippi River shipping channel.
The Waters Advocacy Coalition is a broad cross-section of small businesses, farmers, ranchers, and job creators that represent virtually every segment of the American economy. We rely on clean water, and are committed to protecting the environment and the communities in which we live and work. Our member companies power small towns and big cities, provide the materials for and construct the nation’s roads and family homes, deliver retail goods and services, and produce food, fuel and fiber for families in the U.S. and around the world. Members of WAC support the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, which provides regulatory clarity, promotes clean water, and protects jobs.
The Rebuild Rural Infrastructure Coalition includes more than 200 organizations focused on rural communities, agricultural producers and rural businesses. The coalition is led by the Farm Credit Council and advocates for investment in rural infrastructure.
ASA is a supporting partner for Farmers for Soil Health, a collaboration of the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff, and National Corn Growers Association to create a farmer-led cover crop program that advances the use of soil health practices, meets sustainability goals, and improves farmer profitability. FSH will enable farmers to proactively drive sustainability improvements while gaining critical support from industry and supply chain partners. One way we can accomplish this is by increasing the number of cover crop acres in the U.S. Today, cover crops are only used on about 6% of U.S. cropland. Our goal is to improve soil health by encouraging farmers to expand their adoption of cover crops to 30 million acres by 2030.
ABA meets to advance agricultural biotechnology policy and related areas of interest. Its membership includes representatives from grower groups, the scientific community, the seed industry, manufacturers, and other stakeholders.
ASA formed the Ag Tech Working Group in 2022 to serve as a forum for learning, information sharing, and discussion, as well as a platform for joint advocacy. Membership includes national commodity organizations interested in agricultural “hardware and software” policy issues, including farmer data ownership and privacy, cyber security, precision tech adoption, right to repair, and more.
PPC is a cross-section of grower groups and pesticide registrants aiming to advance pesticide policy and work together on areas of mutual interest. The group is a consensus-driven coalition and works with the Administration and Congress on pesticide registration issues, Endangered Species Act implementation, and other areas when appropriate.
The Keep GPS Working Coalition was formed in response to a Federal Communications Commission order allowing Ligado networks to operate a terrestrial wireless network that will threaten the reception capability of hundreds of millions of GPS devices, including farm tools and equipment. This FCC decision threatens GPS reliability for farmers, consumers, construction companies and other GPS users who will suffer from costly interference and equipment upgrades.
ASA is a member of the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance. Organizations representing farmers, forest owners, the food sector, state governments and environmental advocates formed FACA to present policy recommendations that help guide the development of federal climate legislation. These groups including ASA are working together to promote shared climate policy priorities related to three principles: 1) support voluntary, market- and incentive-based policies, 2) advance science-based outcomes, and 3) promote resilience and help rural economies better adapt to climate change.
ASA is committed to working with Congress and the administration on sustainability policy initiatives and having a seat at the table during climate policy discussions. ASA’s farmer-leaders and staff are pleased to work with fellow FACA members on collaborative efforts supporting agricultural needs and capabilities.
ASA, along with other agricultural organizations, is active in Farmers for a Sustainable Future and was a founding member of the group. Building upon the strong foundation of voluntary stewardship investments and practices –including those in the Farm Bill – the members of FSF aim to work with policy makers to further advance the successful sustainable practices used by U.S. agricultural producers.
The FSF website, FSF factsheet, and FSF principles highlight the contributions that agriculture –including soy farmers – has already made and ways that we will continue to make progress for the long term. Farmers have embraced technologies that reduce emissions and increase efficiency. And, farmers and ranchers are stewards of the land by promoting soil health, conserving water, enhancing wildlife, efficiently using nutrients, caring for their animals and other measures.
Find out more about FSF and how ag is making a difference in the Sustainability and Conservation section of ASA’s website.
