By Jordan Bright, ASA Director of Social & Digital Media
Growing up on a cattle farm in southwest Missouri, Summer Ory always knew she would pursue a future in agriculture.
Summer Ory hosts a trade panel with her lawmakers and other farmers. Photo credit: Iowa Soybean Association
“To this day my favorite place to be is outside,” she said.
After earning her degree in business and management from Iowa State University, Ory married her husband, Dan, and soon farming became her full-time career.
The couple grows soybeans, corn, forage, and cover crops on their five-generation farm in Earlham, Iowa, where they’re raising their three children. The Orys also manage a Pioneer seed and chemical dealership, in addition to assisting Dan’s brother, Joe, with a robust cattle herd and custom cut beef operation.
Despite maintaining a busy schedule, Ory said she loves the “hustle and bustle.” That’s why, when presented with the opportunity to serve in soybean leadership, she was up for the new challenge.
In 2024-2025, Ory participated in the Iowa Soybean Association’s Grassroots Fellowship, a collaborative, one-year experience for young soybean farmers from Iowa who possess a desire to learn more about government and the legislative process, while honing their leadership skills.
“I learned about the importance of current policies and how future policies could positively or negatively affect our farm operations,” she said, adding that the experience opened her eyes to how much work there is still to be done once grain leaves the farm.
After completing the grassroots program, Ory decided she was ready to step into a director role – both on the state level with the Iowa Soybean Association and on the national level with the American Soybean Association. She said the up-and-coming generation must carry the advocacy torch as older farmer leaders retire.
“Farming is both an honor and a privilege, and we want to do it well,” she said. “But the work extends beyond the farm. We must stay engaged with national associations to help shape policies that support long-term farm sustainability. If farms cannot remain successful, rural communities suffer too.”
As farmers face growing challenges – including extreme weather, rising input costs, tight margins, and limited market access – Ory said that strong leadership and close partnerships with agricultural allies are more important than ever.
“I believe national directors should not only advocate effectively, but also communicate clearly, collaborate well, and keep the long-term future of agriculture at the center of every decision along with sustainability and profitability,” she said. “Without that trifecta, we face more opposition than success.”
Since becoming an ASA director, Ory has had numerous opportunities to advocate for soybean farmers, from Hill visits in D.C. to hosting a local roundtable with Farmers for Free Trade and her lawmakers. As each step of her journey provides a deeper understanding of the soy value chain, policy, and advocacy, she said she hopes she makes her community proud.
Ory’s advice to anyone who is considering becoming a soy leader is: don’t underestimate the value of your story and listen as much as you speak.
“Your on-farm experience matters. Be concise and solutions-oriented but clearly explain both the challenge and what action you’re asking for,” she said. “And remember that understanding legislators’ perspectives helps build productive conversations.”
Ory also encourages incoming leaders to focus less on trying to sound impressive and more on being genuine and informed.
“I’d encourage new leaders to ask questions, listen carefully, and build relationships early,” she said. “Advocacy is much more effective when it becomes an ongoing conversation rather than a single meeting. Advocacy is every day on and off the farm.”
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