American Soybean Association facts for kids

The American Soybean Association (ASA) is a group for American soybean farmers. About 21,000 farmers are part of this association. The ASA helps these farmers by working on important rules and goals for growing soybeans. They hold yearly meetings where farmers decide on these goals. The ASA also talks to the U.S. Congress and other parts of the government. They share farmers' ideas and needs. For example, Stephen Censky, who was the ASA's CEO for many years, later became the United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. He then returned to lead the ASA again.

Helping Farmers and Soybeans

The ASA works to create and put into action important rules for soybean farming. They meet every year to set these goals. The ASA also speaks to the government, including the U.S. Congress. They share the needs and ideas of soybean farmers with lawmakers. This helps make sure farmers have a voice in decisions that affect them.

Modern Soybeans and Farming

The ASA generally supports new types of GM soy. GM soy means that scientists have made small changes to the soybean's genes. The ASA believes these changes can help grow more soybeans and make them healthier. They also think that these special soybeans should have their own clear rules. This helps farmers use new technologies safely and effectively.

Protecting Crops and Neighbors

Farmers sometimes use special sprays called herbicides to kill weeds. One of these is called dicamba. While dicamba helps farmers, sometimes it can drift onto other farms or areas. This is called dicamba drift. The ASA understands that farmers need to get along with their neighbors. So, they have helped fund research to understand why dicamba drifts and how to stop it. It's important for farmers to keep using dicamba because some weeds have become resistant to other sprays. The ASA even supports new rules for using dicamba more carefully. This helps make sure farmers can still use it without harming other crops or people nearby. Many universities across the U.S. are working on this research.

Programs for Young Leaders

DuPont Young Leaders

Since 1984, the ASA has run a program called DuPont Young Leaders. This program helps young people from the U.S. and Canada learn more about the soybean industry. It gives them a chance to meet and work with other farmers and leaders from their local areas, states, and even across the country. This helps them build connections and learn how to be future leaders in agriculture.