Credit: Illinois Soybean Association 

Soybean planting is underway, and the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) makes it easy for educators and consumers to see the process in action.  ISA's SoyCam.com offers a firsthand, season-long view of soybean production.

Funded by the Illinois soybean checkoff, Soycam follows eight Illinois soybean farmers as they document their activities through the growing season with photographs and commentary. The SoyCam website is part of ISA's "Pod to Plate" program, and provides access to a wide range of interactive learning opportunities that support the Illinois Ag in the Classroom project.

"Enhancing the agricultural learning experience, SoyCam gives those outside the farming community a unique glimpse into our industry," says Bill Wykes, soybean farmer from Yorkville, Ill., and SoyCam photographer.  "We've been doing this for five years.  Each year, we gain ground making consumers more aware of what we do and why we do it.  It is efforts like this that best demonstrate the interrelationship between crops, livestock and the grocery store."

In addition to educating consumers about how soybeans are produced, SoyCam helps share information about other key ISA initiatives.  John and Kate Hagenbuch, fourth-generation farmers producing soybeans and hogs near Utica, Ill., capture their experiences from the animal agriculture perspective – the top customer for Illinois soybeans. John is an ISA director.

Ron and Deb Moore, soybean farmers from Roseville, Ill., are both active participants in the Illinois Farm Families program. Ron also is an ISA director.

Tim Scates returns to  SoyCam.  The ISA director farms with five uncles and six cousins, along with his brother and father.

Other 2014 SoyCam photographers include:

• Duane Dahlman, soybean farmer from Marengo, Ill., and ISA director.
• Gary and Stephen Berg, soybean farmers from St. Elmo, Ill. Gary is an ISA director.
• Karl Spencer, soybean farmer from Yale, Ill., and former ISA Soy Ambassador.
• Ross Prough, soybean farmer from Greenfield, Ill., and past ISA district director.

SoyCam includes profiles of each photographer, along with weather challenges and crop progress across Illinois. The SoyCam Twitter page (@soycam) also provides perspective.

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) represents more than 45,000 soybean farmers in Illinois through the state soybean checkoff and membership efforts.  The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and profitability research, promotion, issues management and analysis, communications and education.  Membership and advocacy efforts support Illinois soybean farmer interests in local areas, Springfield and Washington, D.C.  ISA programs are designed to ensure Illinois soy is the highest quality, most dependable, sustainable and competitive in the global marketplace. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org.