Summer Ory always knew farming would be her path. Growing up on a cattle operation in southwest Missouri, she developed a deep connection to the land — one she still carries with her today.
“To this day my favorite place to be is outside,” she said.
After graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in business and management, Ory married her husband Dan and transitioned into full-time farming. Together, the couple operates a five-generation farm in Earlham, Iowa, where they raise soybeans, corn, forage, and cover crops while also bringing up their three children. On top of their crop operation, the Orys run a Pioneer seed and chemical dealership and help Dan’s brother, Joe, manage a cattle herd and custom cut beef business.
It’s a packed schedule by any measure, but Ory said she genuinely thrives in the midst of it all. That same enthusiasm for hard work led her to take on a new challenge: soybean leadership and advocacy.
During 2024-2025, Ory took part in the Iowa Soybean Association’s Grassroots Fellowship, a year-long program designed to give young Iowa soybean farmers a closer look at government, the legislative process, and how to develop their leadership abilities.
“I learned about the importance of current policies and how future policies could positively or negatively affect our farm operations,” she said. The program also showed her how much happens to grain long after it leaves the farm gate.
When the fellowship wrapped up, Ory decided she was ready to take on director positions — one with the Iowa Soybean Association at the state level, and another with the American Soybean Association on the national stage. She believes younger farmers need to step up as veteran leaders move into retirement.
“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.”
With farmers dealing with increasingly difficult conditions — including extreme weather, higher input costs, tight profit margins, and restricted market access — Ory said strong leadership and solid partnerships with agricultural allies matter more 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 joining the American Soybean Association’s board of directors, Ory has been active on multiple fronts — making visits to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and hosting a local roundtable alongside Farmers for Free Trade and her elected representatives. Each experience, she said, deepens her understanding of the soy supply chain, policy landscape, and what effective advocacy really looks like.
For anyone thinking about stepping into a soybean leadership role, Ory offers straightforward advice: don’t sell your personal story short, and make sure you’re listening just as much as you’re talking.
“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.”
She also cautions new leaders against trying to impress — and instead encourages them to focus on being real and well-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.”
