When he joined the Iowa Soybean Association staff in 1989, Kirk Leeds thought he may only work there a few years. A 1983 Iowa State University graduate, Leeds surmised he’d return to college for a master’s degree or return to his family’s rural grocery and food service business in central Iowa.
Three years after being hired to assist with ISA field activities, Leeds was named ISA CEO. He has led the organization for 37 years, serving soybean farmers and the industry. He’s also poured his heart into supporting the greater good of agriculture.
This dedication to soybean farmers and Iowa agriculture has earned Leeds his latest recognition: the 2026 Iowa Master Farmer Exceptional Service to Agriculture Award.
“Kirk has always put farmers first in maximizing the investment they make in the soybean checkoff,” said Ray Gaesser, southwest Iowa farmer and 2012 Iowa Master Farmer. Gaesser was ISA president in 2006-07 and American Soybean Association president in 2013-14.
“I worked alongside Kirk for many years,” Gaesser said. “Kirk ensures ISA members are actively involved in the decisions that have created one of our nation’s most recognized and admired farmer-led organizations.”
Rooted in rural Iowa
Though not from a farm himself, Leeds grew up with nine siblings in Kamrar and Stratford in rural Hamilton County. The family owned a restaurant, catering business and, at one time, three grocery stores. It was there that Leeds learned about business management, organization and team building. He didn’t know it yet, but this would serve him well in his career.
After graduating from ISU with a political science degree; interning in the Iowa Legislature; and working for Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, for a short stint, Leeds was accepted into the University of Iowa College of Law.
During his first year there, Leeds decided he didn’t want to be a lawyer.
While working for his dad in the grocery business before taking the ISA job, Leeds unsuccessfully ran twice for election to the Iowa Legislature. He was recruited to work at the ISA because of his experience working on a presidential campaign. ISA leaders recognized his ability to connect with people and invited Leeds to join the association staff as a field specialist. A few years later, Leeds would be in ISA’s top leadership position.
Lessons from dad
More than 35 years later, the words of his first boss, his father, are central to how Leeds conducts business.
“Our dad was a child of the Great Depression,” Leeds said. “He worked hard. He advised us to never ask an employee to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. If it’s worth of doing, you should be willing to do it. That’s something I’ve taken to heart.”
Letters of support for Leeds nomination share the theme of “Kirk cares.” The letters discuss how he invests in others. He makes calls and sends notes to those who are dealing with health issues or grieving the loss of a loved one. He lives his faith by treating others as he wants to be treated, personifying the Golden Rule. He offers words of encouragement.
Leeds lets others not only lead and, yes, experience setbacks, but also learn from the setbacks and raise the bar. Under this leadership style, many members of the ISA team have devoted 10, 20 and even 30 years of service to the organization.
Focused on working together
Leeds is directly responsible for creating and ensuring the launch of numerous activities and programs, including the Soy Transportation Coalition, Iowa Soybean Research Center at ISU, Iowa Food and Family Project, Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, U.S. Soybean Research Collaborative and North Central Soybean Research Program.
In addition, Leeds has traveled the globe, representing the needs and concerns of Iowa farmers. In fact, he’ll miss receiving the Iowa Master Farmer Exceptional Service to Agriculture Award in person because he’ll be in China, connecting Iowa soybean growers and Chinese soybean buyers.
He’s helped build markets and opportunities for farmers, and improve the lives of all Iowans through greater demand for what farmers produce — whether as a commodity or value-added ag product.
“All of these and other ISA-supported projects and programs have been driven by the changing needs of the soybean industry and farmers,” Leeds said. “I’ve been blessed to work for a group of farmers who are not only focused on solving today’s challenges, but [also] looking for ways our organization can be helpful in the future, too.”
“I’m not a farmer,” he added. “I’m the son of a meat-cutter and a product of rural Iowa. I know and appreciate farm families and their good work. To be recognized for exceptional service on behalf of farmers is a humbling experience.”
Leeds works to cultivate growth over the years
When Kirk Leeds began working for the Iowa Soybean Association in 1989, ISA had less than a dozen employees. Today, ISA has almost 90 employees.
“The soybean industry has grown, and so have the challenges and opportunities we face,” Leeds said. “ISA has grown as the industry has grown.”
In 1989, ISA had 1,300 members. Today it’s 7,000. However, all farmers who grow soybeans in Iowa — nearly 40,000 — benefit from ISA’s efforts to improve soybean production and profitability.
A statewide membership organization, ISA was formed in 1964. The national soybean checkoff, which helps fund Iowa’s state-level program, was established in 1991 following authorization by Congress in the 1990 Farm Bill.
Since 1991, ISA has served as the state board managing checkoff dollars collected in Iowa. One half of 1% of the total selling price is collected, per the national Soybean Act. Of this, half of the funds remain in Iowa for state projects; the other half goes to the national United Soybean Board.
Guided by input from members
With input and guidance from its members, ISA’s board of volunteer farmer directors determines where and how checkoff dollars are spent on research projects, market development efforts, and consumer education and engagement programming.
“Our goal is always to improve the productivity and profitability of all soybean growers,” Leeds said.
ISA moved its headquarters from Urbandale to Ankeny in 2009. The opportunity was made possible through land donated to the association. A noticeable feature is the incorporation of a grain bin into the ISA office building’s design.
“We built it to fit the needs of our organization, and it has helped ISA expand and provide more services for soybean farmers and Iowa agriculture,” Leeds said.
“I can’t take credit for most of ISA’s growth,” he added. “I listen to our board of directors for guidance; that’s who I work for. Also, we have a great staff at ISA. Working together, we create opportunities, help answer questions, solve problems and improve agriculture.”
Having a farmer-first mentality
As CEO of the Iowa Soybean Association, Kirk Leeds said his job is “to listen to what farmers are telling us.”
“What do they need? We can help them move forward by collecting information and bringing people together,” Leeds said.
For example, in 2004, ISA partnered with other commodity groups and farm organizations to form the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers.
“This was a direct result of conversations with farmers concerned about raising livestock, and how to conform with regulations when expanding their production facilities,” Leeds said. “Farmers are concerned about pollution and water-quality issues. The coalition helps livestock farmers deal with environmental rules and provides information and advice to foster good relationships with neighbors.”
ISA also helped create the Soy Transportation Coalition, the Iowa Ag Water Alliance, the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, the Research Center for Farming Innovation, and the Iowa Soybean Research Center at Iowa State University. These programs are driven by the changing needs of farmers.
Creating a path forward
“ISA established the Soy Transportation Coalition because we are particularly interested in maximizing the efficiency of moving our soybeans and soy products from the farm to our customers in the U.S. and throughout the world,” Leeds said. “We face challenges in lowering the cost of moving soybeans from one part of the country to another.”
Today, 14 of the largest soybean-producing states support the Soy Transportation Coalition. Led by Mike Steenhoek, STC has one of the strongest groups focused on ag-related transportation issues.
The Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, a service of ISA subsidiary AgOutcomes, offers payments directly to farmers to expand on-farm conservation practices that yield positive results, such as carbon sequestration, emission reduction, water-quality improvement and soil erosion reduction. ISA helps develop new market opportunities and revenue streams for farmers through partnerships with public and private organizations.
“I’ve been involved in creating new organizations, projects and initiatives,” Leeds said. “But I take the most pride in the fact that all of these were developed based on guidance from farmers.”
Policy priorities
On the national level, ISA continues to support efforts to expand the use of soy-based biofuels in Iowa and throughout the nation.
“Biofuels are the most important domestic issue we now need to watch and advocate for,” he said. “Soy-based biofuels are where the growth potential is occurring.”
Advocating for increased soybean and soy product exports also is a key policy priority.
“Trade and tariff issues are the big challenges soybean farmers are currently facing in the export market,” Leeds noted.
Master at a glance
Name: Kirk Leeds
Family: wife Kim; son Stephen Leeds (Kelsey); daughters Stephanie O’Brien (Mac), Stacie Larson (Josh) and Sierra McConnell (James); 10 grandchildren
Location: Boone, Iowa
Position: Iowa Soybean Association CEO
Interesting fact: In addition to his passion for Chicago Cubs baseball and all things cardinal and gold (go, State!), Kirk and wife Kim organized and hosted a gospel music festival in Stratford for 15 years. This daylong event was attended by hundreds each year, and showcased gospel music groups and soloists from across the state.
Faith and family are central to Kirk’s life. As a dedicated husband, father and grandfather, family is front and center. He frequently shares stories about his family, making no secret about how blessed he is to have family and faith play a role in his life.