ISA Names 2026 IL Soy Envoy Class to Deliver In-Season Agronomic Updates

BLOOMINGTON, IL – Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) has selected six agronomic professionals to serve as the 2026 IL Soy Envoy class. These individuals will provide timely, data-driven information to soybean farmers across Illinois throughout the growing season.

"The IL Soy Envoy program puts real time, field level information directly in farmers' hands," said Kelsey Litchfield, ISA Agronomic Outreach Manager and Editor of Field Advisor. "These Envoys are in the field every day, sharing what they are seeing and turning it into practical recommendations farmers can use to improve performance and respond to challenges as they arise."

Serving from April through October, IL Soy Envoys will deliver crop reports, agronomic updates, and local recommendations through FieldAdvisor.org and the Field Advisor podcast. Their updates give farmers a clear view of field conditions and issues developing across the state.

What to expect from the 2026 IL Soy Envoy class:
• In-season crop reports from across Illinois
• Local agronomic recommendations
• Regular updates on FieldAdvisor.org and the Field Advisor podcast
• Observations from the field throughout the growing season

This year's class represents a range of experience across Illinois agriculture, including research, retail agronomy, and farming operations:

Matt Montgomery, CCA, Chatham, Agronomy Education Lead, Beck's Hybrids
Marissa Scott, Newark, Farmer, Friestad Farm
Scott Krone, Rantoul, Product Development Agronomist, GDM Seeds
Brandon Hall, CCA, CCS, Wataga, Location Operations Manager, West Central FS
Jamie Horton, Woodlawn, Agronomist, Pitchford Elevator
Tim Laatsch, CCA, Altamont, Owner and President, Field Hawk Ag Research, LLC

Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff, the IL Soy Envoy program connects farmers with agronomic professionals who provide research based, locally relevant recommendations throughout the season.

Follow IL Soy Envoy updates on FieldAdvisor.org, the Field Advisor podcast, and across social media, or subscribe to receive updates during the growing season.

For more information about the IL Soy Envoy program, visit FieldAdvisor.org.

About the Author: Kelsey Litchfield

Kelsey Litchfield is the Agronomic Outreach Manager and Editor of Field Advisor for the Illinois Soybean Association. In her role, she manages Field Advisor's media platforms and assists the agronomy team with events and field days. A native of Rio, IL, Kelsey earned her bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2017 where she double majored in Agricultural Communications and Broadcast Journalism.