Wisconsin farmer Doug Rebout wouldn’t trade his office for the world.  

That’s the message the president of the Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA) conveyed to an international trade delegation from nearly 10 countries in late July 2025 during a trade team visit to his Janesville family farm.  

“I get to watch sunrises and sunsets while I’m working,” said Rebout as he blocked the hot sun by wearing his faded Wisconsin Soybean Program hat, “and I get to work with my family – it’s very important to our farm.”  

With his healthy, waist-high soybean crop swaying in the background – and his brothers’ homes just a stone’s throw away – Rebout hosted global ag and food business leaders from countries including Mexico, the U.K., Chile, Ukraine and Serbia.  

During the two-hour engagement, Rebout explained how Wisconsin soybean growers are focused on diversifying markets for U.S. soybean farmers beyond their largest customer, China, which purchases more U.S. soy than all other export markets combined. Soybeans are the nation’s top ag export, valued at over $30 billion each year. Wisconsin soybean farmers export more than 50% of their crop to markets primarily in Mexico, Canada and China. And while most U.S. states saw their exports drop by 1% in ag exports, Wisconsin agriculture boosted its exports by nearly 2% over the past two years. In total, Wisconsin soybean farmers export more than 50% of their crop.  

Yet the uncertainty of the current trade landscape is creating tension across farm country as the 2025 soybean harvest nears, Rebout said.  

“Because we don’t have a processing facility here in Wisconsin, we rely on trade to build demand and move our crop,” Rebout said. “Building trust takes a lot of time, and it starts with getting to know each other and finding common ground, which is what we’re doing here today.”  

Rebout began the visit by explaining the production practices he uses on his 4,200-acre farm, impressing his guests with the advanced drone technology he uses to manage weeds, improve soil health and increase yields. Rebout proudly noted his family was one of the first to adopt strip-tilling. 

“We’ve always been pretty progressive in trying new practices,” he said. “We’re always trying to look ahead.”  

Rebout grows soybeans and corn and raises custom heifers with his brothers Daniel and David and nephews on an operation that’s been in the family since the early 1960s. Modern farming, Rebout said, has changed with the times.  

“A lot of people think the U.S. farmer isn’t sophisticated, but this equipment will tell you otherwise,” he said. “My nephews don’t even know what a pitchfork is.”  

His visitors, who were nearing the end of a two-week tour arranged through the U.S. Department of State, peppered Rebout with questions: What’s your average bushels per acre? Price of seed per acre? How often do you test your soil? Do you use irrigation? 

Rebout was impressed by their preparedness.  

“You could tell they came ready to ask me some questions,” he said with a chuckle. “But as a farmer, we love talking about what we do. That’s the fun part.”  

Serbian soybean farmer Milenko Jovanovic of the Serbian Young Farmers Association was a bit starstruck by his first visit to an American farm. The size of Rebout’s operation, his equipment and reported average yield left Jovanovic inspired.  

“I admire how much yield you can achieve here,” he said  

Rebout forged a special bond with Dmytro Kokhan, deputy chairman of the Ukranian Ag Council. Rebout’s daughter, Natalia, was adopted from Ukraine. Kokhan’s face lit up when Rebout told him of his daughter’s heritage and quickly presented Rebout with a Ukranian hat and pin.  

“That was a very special moment for me,” Rebout said. “Ukraine will always have a special place in my heart.”  

Earlier in the trip, the international group met with WSA lobbyist Jordan Lamb to learn more about how farm groups lobby at the state and national capitals. Rebout also explained his passion for advocating for his fellow farmer and the soybean industry through educating lawmakers and regulatory leaders on farm-friendly policy. When he’s in a policy meeting, Rebout said he’s representing family farms beyond just his own. 

“I take great pride in saying I’m here on behalf of 16,000 soybean farmers in Wisconsin,” he said. “I’m not just telling my story.”  

After a group photo, Rebout left his new and grateful friends, who were departing for Ohio, with a Wisconsin Soybean Program hat and the latest issue of Soy Forward magazine.  

“I think it’s safe to say it was a good experience for all,” Rebout said. “I know it was for me.”