CORNING, IA – Iowa farmer and longtime agricultural leader Ray Gaesser died Saturday following an accident on his farm near Corning. He was a former president of the American Soybean Association.
Gaesser served as ASA president in 2013-14 after years of state and national leadership. He later continued advocating for trade, conservation, renewable energy, and agricultural policy.
He also helped co-found Solutions from the Land in 2010 and promoted no-till farming, cover crops, and other conservation practices used on his own operation.
Gaesser remained active in public service and agricultural organizations, including the Iowa Transportation Commission, where he recently completed a term as chairman. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds called him an influential farmer, innovator, and advocate.
His work frequently emphasized cooperation among farmers, policymakers and conservation interests while keeping producers directly involved in shaping agricultural solutions.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Ray Gaesser leaves a legacy of farmer leadership built around conservation, trade, policy engagement, and service to agriculture.