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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – April 20, 2020—A new class of soybean experts are once again ready to provide local recommendations to help Illinois soybean growers increase yields and profits while minimizing their environmental impact. The 2020 CCA Soy Envoy class will contribute actionable information, advice and in-season updates via ILSoyAdvisor.com to support Illinois growers in achieving their goals. 

2020 Class members include: 
Ashley McEwen – Peoria County
McEwen grew up on a diversified grain and livestock farm near Bushnell, Illinois. Currently, she is a key account specialist with AgriGold and resides in Peoria. McEwen is a Certified Crop Adviser and is in the process of completing her master’s degree in crop science from the University of Illinois.

Cody Pettit – McLean County
Currently, Pettit is a field agronomist for the Pioneer brand with Corteva Agriscience, covering the east central part of Illinois. Prior to his current role, he was a district sales manager in the seed industry after graduating from the University of Illinois, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in crop sciences. Pettit has a passion for understanding new practices and solutions employed on a variety of farm operations and is excited for the ever-changing future of the agricultural industry.

Jason Boehler – Macoupin County
Boehler is a Certified Crop Advisor and Certified Crop Specialist as well as a seed specialist at M&M Service Company. He specializes in advising growers in agronomic practices, fertility, chemical and seed genetics to maximize yield potential and economic return on investment for each farmers’ environment. Boehler holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture science with an emphasis in agronomy from Western Illinois University. His wife Kayli and he are raising two daughters near Litchfield, Illinois, where he farms corn, soybeans and forages with his father.

Jason Carr – McLean County
Carr returns for his second year as a CCA Soy Envoy and is a technology development representative with Bayer Crop Science. He leads agronomic research projects with corn and soybeans focused on creating tailored solutions for growers. Prior to his current role, he spent a decade in soybean breeding with Monsanto as part of a team developing numerous commercially successful varieties in RM groups 2 and 3. Carr lives in El Paso and holds a master’s in molecular genetics and a bachelor’s in natural resources and environmental sciences from UIUC.

Jason Haegele – Champaign County
Haegele is the region agronomist for WinField United in Illinois and leads WinField United’s agronomy services team for the eastern United States. Employed by WinField United for four years, Haegele was previously a research scientist with DuPont Pioneer for two years. Haegele holds a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and ag engineering from Iowa State University, a master’s in crop production and physiology also from Iowa State, and a Ph.D. in crop sciences from the University of Illinois.

Randy Niver – Vermilion County
Currently, a Technical Agronomist for Asgrow DEKALB in East Central Illinois, Niver works closely with dealers and sellers to make product and placement recommendations for their growers. Niver has been with Bayer Crop Science for 15 years and has been in many aspects of the business from R&D, regulatory and commercial. He and his wife Angie and their three sons (Luke – 4, Will – 3, and Colt – 2) work together on a small family farm with corn, soybeans, wheat, grass and alfalfa hay, beef cattle, chickens, ducks, goats, and horses. 

Funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff, the CCA Soy Envoy program is a partnership between the Illinois Soybean Association and Illinois Certified Crop Advisers. CCA Soy Envoys commit to a one-year term with the opportunity to serve a second term if interested. Envoys write and record monthly content for the ILSoyAdvisor blog and represent the Illinois Soybean Association at industry events. Visit www.ilsoyadvisor.com to learn more and read updates from the CCA Soy Envoys.