Wilson ISA’s Master Adviser Award recipient

NORMAL, Ill. — The recipient of the Illinois Soybean Association’s 2025 Master Adviser Award is known for challenging the status quo in crop production and being open to new data-based practices.

Jeremy Wilson, owner of Wilson Seed and Pioneer independent sales representative in McLean County, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to soybean production through his dedication to helping farmers maximize yield and profitability with cutting-edge agronomic practices.

The Master Adviser Award, established in 2016, highlights the critical role of Illinois Certified Crop Advisers in advancing soybean farming through expert advice and actionable insights.

As an active CCA and independent sales representative for Pioneer through his business, Wilson Seed, Wilson has built a reputation for providing invaluable agronomy support to soybean farmers across Illinois.

Wilson, who has been in the agronomy field for over two decades, earned his bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Northwest Missouri State University in 2003. He grew up on a small grain and livestock farm near Creston, Iowa.

He has lived in the Bloomington-Normal area for 19 years and has operated Wilson Seed for 13 years, offering a combination of agronomy services and crop insurance tailored to the needs of Illinois farmers.

Beyond his professional work, Wilson is also active in his community, supporting various local foundations.

“Jeremy exemplifies the qualities we seek in the Master Adviser award — dedication to improving soybean production, commitment to lifelong learning, and a deep connection to the farming community,” said Bryan Severs, ISA Soybean Production Committee chair.

“His contributions have positively impacted many growers, and we’re proud to honor him with this well-deserved award.”

“There’s always challenges, every day. I guess that’s one of the nice things about agriculture. It’s not the same thing every day,” Wilson said.

“When I moved here, I worked for a local very successful ag retailer and was doing well there. Then I had an opportunity that I thought I couldn’t refuse. We always grew Pioneer on the farm growing up. That was something that was very passionate and I could just concentrate on seed.

“The key success for Wilson Seed has been a team approach, it’s not just me. We’ve added employees, the Pioneer team has been excellent to work with from a local agronomist level. So, it’s not just any one thing about me. It’s been a great team approach.”

Outside The Box

During ISA’s Impact Awards program that coincided this year with the organization’s 60th anniversary, a video of featured some of Wilson’s business colleagues and customers.

“He’s willing to sort of challenge the dogma. So, we all for years kind of think about crop production in certain ways, and he’s willing to sort of try and learn a little bit every year, learn from his customers, and really not get stuck in ‘this is what we have to do,’” said Andy Knepp, Pioneer field agronomist.

“Jeremy’s always looking at what’s coming next. The whole ‘we’ve always done it this way’ thing doesn’t fly with him, and he wants the data to back it up,” said Christy Rosas, Pioneer territory manager.

“So, when in those emerging markets, whether it’s a new seed treatment or biologicals, he’s going to do everything that he can to see it on-farm in-person, study it himself, be out the walking the fields, crunching the data, talking with our agronomy team.”

“I know that when I get a phone call from Jeremy that I probably should clear my calendar for the afternoon because he’s really going to get into it and really try and understand what the issues are,” Knepp added.

“You want to work with people that want to get better. You want to work with people that are doing everything they can in their business to help their customers be better. That’s what’s really rewarding about working with Jeremy.”

“There’s a lot of different little individual things that Jeremy does. He’s always on top of what is going on that I just don’t get enough of that from other people. And, more importantly, it’s in a very timely fashion to where you can still make some management decisions that have a financial impact to the benefit,” said Jason Lay, McLean County farmer.

“I’ve worked with Jeremy for as long as I have because I think he’s the best seed adviser in the area. He has a lot of knowledge and he’s continued to grow that knowledge to better support our customers,” said Corey Bolmann, farmer and Wilson Seed sales associate.

“The most rewarding thing for me is when a customer has a successful season and we’ve broken a record of previous farming historic numbers, and also giving them sound advice for certain practices that we maybe have adapted to and changed on their operation that’s done well for them,” Wilson said.

“I think I’m just very passionate to help growers. Like this is my way of farming is working with customers and being out in their fields and help advise them. So, I’m just another business partner in their operation and helping them succeed.”

Wilson and his wife, Holly, have been married for nearly five years. Outside of his work, he enjoys spending time with family, attending sporting events, playing golf, traveling and relaxing with their dog, Scooter.