Regenerative ag, sustainability among Scoular farmer meeting highlights

CHICAGO (Aug. 25, 2023) — Scoular’s Farmer Advisory Roundtable Members (FARM) met here last week with company leaders to identify solutions to emerging farm management challenges and to influence the company’s future producer strategies.  

Topics and activities included: 

• Emerging opportunities in the production of sustainably grown products, including a visit to Scoular’s soybean processing plant in Andres, Illinois. The facility serves as an integral part of the soy sustainability supply chain, allowing producers to capitalize on production practices and consumer goods customers to deliver upon sustainability goals.  
• A discussion of renewable fuel markets and the opportunities and challenges in growing winter canola for Scoular’s recently announced oilseed crush facility in Goodland, Kansas. 
• A tour of the farming operation of FARM member Jeff O’Connor in Kankakee, Illinois. O’Connor and his family focus on land stewardship and implement cover crops, pollinator fields and tile run-off management. Members shared ideas, with a common theme of water: How do we conserve it in deficit, and how do we manage it in excess?   
• A conversation on Scoular’s approach to sustainability and regenerative initiatives. The farmers provided valuable feedback to Scoular leaders on how to best build out regenerative ag programs. 
• Progress in response to earlier feedback from FARM members regarding additions to the company’s suite of digital tools, ScoularView.   

FARM, a diverse group of forward-thinking farmers, was created to help Scoular capture opportunities that emerge in a quickly evolving agriculture industry by connecting producers more closely to Scoular leaders. FARM is hosted by the company’s enterprise producer strategy team, led by Melissa Norem. 

“Scoular recognizes and proudly accepts our responsibility in the supply chain to support our producer base in meeting the challenges and opportunities that they face. We are thankful for the role our FARM advisors have in helping influence and implement Scoular’s strategic producer origination initiatives,” Norem said. 

FARM members in attendance were: Kyle Campbell of Asbury, Missouri; Ashley Colglazier of Grant, Nebraska; Hazen Deeds of Goodland, Kansas; Jerry DeWeese of Pratt, Kansas; Kyle Miller of Waverly, Illinois; Jeff O’Connor of Kankakee, Illinois; Kendal Peterson of Assaria, Kansas; Bill Rhea of Arlington, Nebraska; Chad Simmelink of Esbon, Kansas; Chris Soehner of Goodland, Kansas; Todd Tobin of Iuka, Kansas; and Johnnie Witt of Underwood, Iowa.