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Kingery is now leading the Indiana Corn and Soybean organizations

Hoosier native Courtney Kingery has started her new role as CEO of the Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, and the Indiana Corn Growers Association.

Kingery, who began the role October 1, says she is looking forward to leading the state’s corn and soybean checkoff programs to build domestic and global demand for those crops.

“For the checkoff program we have three key areas that we focus on – promotion, education, and research,” she says. “So, on the promotion side we’re going to continue do trade missions and promote export and trade in the global market for corn and soybeans and their products. On the education front, we’re going to continue to provide education to students in the classroom and have students come to the glass barn. And on the research side, we will continue the work we’re doing with Purdue University.”  

She will also lead membership and policy activities.

“On the policy side, which we can’t use checkoff dollars on, we’re still very active working with our state and national legislators and our peers of the ag industry overall to really monitor and watch those issues that are important to agriculture within Indiana and making sure we’re being an advocate for our farmers.”

She says top priorities are working with national partners to strengthen trade and exports and continuing to build ethanol demand. Kingery was part of a recent trade mission with the US Soybean Export Council to Mexico.

Kingery grew up on her family’s farm in White County. She says she is excited to be back in the Hoosier state supporting Indiana’s farmers.

“I feel like my entire career has been building up into this,” she says. “As a kid on the farm, while some kids may have big wheels or tricycles, I had a red international pedal tractor. So, those are my roots and then from a career perspective, what I’ve been doing over the past 25 years has been working to bring additional value to corn and soybeans.”

Kingery says the opportunity means a lot to her as farming is generational. When she accepted the position, her mother gave her a medal that her grandfather received in 1928 when he reached the 100-bushel club. That medal is now with her at the Indiana Corn and Soybean office.

“If my grandfather wouldn’t have been a successful farmer and grower then I wouldn’t be in the position I am today,” she says. “So, for me it’s about that generation.”

Kingery graduated from Kutztown University with a Master of Business Administration and Hanover College with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

She previously worked as global director of health and wellness innovation for Tate and Lyle. Earlier in her career she was a grain trader and marketing director for oilseeds and food ingredients for ADM.

Kingery replaces Jane Ade Stevens, who has worked with the Indiana Soybean Alliance for 30 years and served the last 10 years as CEO of the organizations.

Audio: Courtney Kingery