Kansas Soybean Celebration Highlights Policy, Leadership and Clean Fuel Opportunities for 2026

This blog came from an interview conducted with Brett Neilbing at Kansas Commodity Classic.

Kansas Soybean Association

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The start of a new year often brings reflection on the challenges and victories of the past 12 months — and renewed focus on the road ahead. That spirit was on full display at the Kansas Soybean Celebration, where growers gathered to look ahead at policy priorities, leadership development, and new market opportunities.

Kansas Soybean Association District 1 President, Brett Neibling, shared insight into the role the association plays in advocating for farmers across the state and in Washington, D.C.

“The commission and the association are actually two separate groups,” Neibling explained. “Being on the association side, we are primarily involved with policy. Our funds come from membership and corporate sponsors. We go to Topeka and we go to D.C. and sit down with administrators and lawmakers. We get into the nitty gritty of the policy issues.”

While many farmers are familiar with the soybean checkoff, Neibling emphasized that the policy work of the association is equally critical. He admitted that before becoming involved himself, he didn’t fully grasp the importance of having farmers represented in key decision-making rooms.

“I knew what the Kansas Soybean Association was, and I knew what the checkoff was, but I didn’t realize how important that work was,” he said. “You don’t realize how important it is to have a voice in the room where decisions are made.”

He added that leadership training within the association opened his eyes to the power of collective advocacy.

“Farmers are very independent people. We think we can do it all on our own,” Neibling said. “But my grandfather always said, ‘Many hand

s make light work.’ That’s what the association is.”

Looking ahead, Neibling expressed hope for continued collaboration between soybean growers and clean fuel partners — particularly as federal and state carbon programs evolve.

“You see this big alliance of people who are trying to create this new domestic market,” he said. “I would love to see the ruling on 45Z come into effect. I would love to see states like California, Oregon, and Washington continue to increase their clean fuel and carbon reduction programs. That is a driving force for this industry.”

As soybean producers prepare for another growing season, the message from the celebration was clear: engagement matters. Whether through leadership development, policy advocacy, or market expansion, Kansas soybean farmers are positioning themselves to help shape the future of agriculture.