By Andi Anderson
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign student Natalie Beltran spent summer 2025 as a Market Development intern with the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), gaining firsthand agricultural experience and exploring global trade opportunities.
Beltran, an Agricultural and Consumer Economics major from suburban Chicago, joined ISA to strengthen her understanding of farming and connect classroom economic knowledge to real-world agriculture.
Early in the internship, she learned about soybean harvesting, grain storage, and farming strategies, including irrigation and crop health, during a visit to ISA Director Jeff O’Connor’s farm. She also researched soy nutrition benefits for international guests from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.
Her primary project involved developing business cases for emerging African markets. Beltran evaluated factors such as demand, GDP, infrastructure, soy imports, and livestock and aquaculture sectors in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa to assess their potential for ISA investment. These reports incorporated data, maps, and graphs, culminating in a presentation to ISA’s Market Development Committee and staff.
Beyond research, Beltran engaged with ISA’s broader mission of promoting, advocating, and educating for Illinois agriculture. She attended events such as the Israeli trade team visit, learning about the checkoff system, export regulations, and biofuel advancements.
Beltran described the internship as transformative, providing professional growth, deeper agricultural awareness, and insight into ISA’s role in supporting farmer-driven priorities. She credits the experience with preparing her for future opportunities in agriculture and market development.
Photo Credit:istock-urpspoteko
Categories: Illinois, Crops, Soybeans, Education