The Iowa Soybean Association board of directors will seat four new members during its September meeting, including the Midwest Farm Mom of the Year. Stephanie Essick, who farms near Dickens in northwest Iowa, was recently elected as an At-Large director by soybean growers across Iowa's nine crop districts.

Other newly-elected directors include Chuck White of Spencer, District 1; Randy Souder of Rockwell City, District 4 and Morey Hill of Madrid, District 5. Lindsay Greiner of Keota, who was appointed by the board to finish the unexpired At-Large term of Jim Andrew of Jefferson, was re-elected.

SOY IN THE NEWS: A number of Iowa Soybean Association members received Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. Also, the second annual soy foods contest was held at this year's state fair.

Also re-elected were Wayne Fredericks of Osage for a third term in District 2 and Mark Jackson of Rose Hill for a second term in District 9. Curt Sindergard of Rolfe, Delbert Christensen of Audubon, Randy Van Kooten of Lynnville and Roy Arends of Alexander are retiring from the board after serving nine years. Christensen will remain as an Iowa representative on the United Soybean Board (USB).

Iowa Soybean Association celebrating 50^th anniversary
"I want to thank all our retiring members for their dedication to ISA," says Tom Oswald, ISA president-elect. "Though we will miss our retiring directors, I welcome the newly- elected board members and the fresh perspectives they bring as we celebrate ISA's 50th anniversary and embark into the next 50 years."

Other district directors include current ISA President Brian Kemp of Sibley, from District 1; Dean Coleman of Humboldt, District 2; Scott McGregor of Nashua and Dennis Lindsay of Masonville, District 3; Sheila Hebenstreit of Jefferson, from District 4; Rolland Schnell of Newton, District 5; Ed Ulch of Solon and Benjamin Schmidt of Iowa City, District 6; Jeff Jorgensen of Sidney and Bill Shipley of Nodaway, District 7; Cliff Mulder of Pella, District 8; John Heisdorffer of Keota, District 9; Tom Oswald of Cleghorn and Ron Heck of Perry are At-Large directors.

ISA members receive Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards
Iowa soybean farmers were well represented last week at the third annual Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award ceremony at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. Cliff and Sheryl Mulder, (Cliff is an Iowa Soybean Association director) received their award from Iowa Gov.Terry Branstad, Chuck Gipp, director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.

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A total of 88 Iowa farmers and farm families -- more than half were Iowa Soybean Association members -- were recognized for their commitment to healthy soils and improved water quality. The awards are sponsored by the Iowa Governor's office, Iowa Department of Ag & Land Stewardship and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The awards recognize farmers who serve as local leaders in environmental stewardship by utilizing a variety of techniques and best management practices. Examples include conservation tillage, restoring wetlands, installing grass waterways and using precision agriculture, among other things.

Second annual soy foods contest held at the Iowa State Fair
The Soyfoods Council and the Iowa Restaurant Association held their 2nd annual Professional Chef Soy Salad Dressing Contest Monday, August 11 in the Agriculture Building as part of the Iowa State Fair. Four of the state's top chefs were invited to put their creativity to the test in this delicious and healthy competition.

Competing for top honors were Chef Michael Kelley of the Great Caterers of Iowa, Chef Eric McDowell of Prairie Meadows, Chef Brian Pomerenk of the Iowa Machine Shed and Chef Robert Sanda of Tally's. Each chef made an original salad dressing using Mori-Nu Silken Tofu-Soft. Recipes were judged on flavor, but also consumer friendliness. Chefs created their dressing on the stage and then served their creations to a panel of five judges as well as to fairgoers. Contest judges included Tom and Susanne Oswald of the Iowa Soybean Board, Liz Cox of the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, Wini Moranville of KCWI's Great Day segment Great Foods, and certified culinary instructor Phil Carey of the Iowa Culinary Institute.

Chef Robert Sanda of Tally's in Beaverdale took first place with a refreshing Walnut-Silken Tofu Vinaigrette dressing. Chef Kelley received second place for his Tofu Miso Soy Salad dressing and Chef McDowell received third place with a Summer Beef and Broccoli Salad with Miso Blue Cheese Vinaigrette dressing. Chef McDowell impressed the crowed with his elaborate recipe and also received People's Choice honors.

All of the recipes are available on The Soyfoods Council and Iowa Restaurant Association websites.