This week, the World Soy Foundation (WSF) is taking you to a town in Illinois called Dunlap for a Farmer Leader Feature on Illinois Soybean Association Director Stan Born. Stan, who grew up on a farm in Shelby County, Ill., was destined to be a fourth generation farmer. Before taking that role, Stan took what he calls a “brief 33-year sabbatical” to use his Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois and become a leader and manager for the global business segment at Caterpillar, Inc. But he still stayed connected to the farm by helping in the field during peak seasons. During his “industry sabbatical,” Stan had the opportunity to travel to many areas of the world. To date, he’s had the privilege to visit 36 countries and he says his favorite is always “the next one!”

In 2009, Stan decided to start farming as a part-time job and soon after retired from industry to pursue farming full-time.

“While I remain a small operation, I am actively engaged in learning all the complexities that come with a farm business, and use this experience, the leadership experience gained from working for a Fortune 50 company, and my time to serve and advocate for the Ag community,” he said.

Stan is a volunteer leader for a Christian mission organization working on food security issues in learning centers and transitional homes. Through one of these missions, Stan met a contact that invited him to participate in the Illinois Soybean Association’s Soy Ambassador Orientation program in 2013, which eventually led to his election in August 2014 to represent District 5 in Illinois. His work with the mission trips is also what attracted him to the World Soy Foundation.

“Working with the ASA, WISHH and the WSF aligns with my mission projects in connecting agriculture to communities in need to help them migrate away from food aid and equip them to manage their own food security in a sustainable way,” Stan said.

He has seen the clear problems of malnutrition, stunting and being underweight in children throughout the developing countries he has traveled to. A common theme among those children he saw was a lack of protein in their diets and how soy could be a great option to provide abundant, low-cost protein in those environments. When visiting learning centers that utilized soymilk to improve nutritional profiles, Stan saw the obvious benefits it was providing for the kids.

“If these kids get proper nutrition, they will be better equipped to learn and create a better life for themselves and, if properly directed, to serve others,” Stan said.

The WSF wants to thank Stan for his support and leadership in the soy family! It is not without the support of individuals like Stan that we could continue reducing malnutrition through the power of soy. If you would like to join Stan in supporting the WSF, simply visit www.worldsoyfoundation.org/donate-now/ to learn how.

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