Posted on February 20, 2026 at 2:18 PM by Emily Saveraid
Jim Tobin was an Iowa 4-H member whose leadership roles included State 4-H Council, Boys State 4-H Vice President, National 4-H Conference delegate and Iowa 4-H Foundation Youth Representative. He was a 4-H Young Agricultural Specialist Exchange Program delegate to the Soviet Union in 1978. He served as Adair Co. (IA) Extension Director in 1979-81. Jim joined Monsanto’ agricultural unit in 1983. His Monsanto career spanned over 31 years before retiring in Dec. 2014. His assignments included leadership roles in product management, seed business integration, crop protection and the global cotton business, providing valuable opportunities to work with seed, biotech and crop chemical customers and products.
Jim’ work before retirement involved leadership of the industry affairs group and work with the grain industry. He still consults part time with Monsanto to help with grain industry relations and serves as the chairman of the Grower Advisory Council. He currently serves on the board of the U.S. Grains Council, the Chairman of the Farmhouse Foundation, a member of the Farm Foundation Roundtable and a past chairman of the American Seed Trade Association. Jim served as a Missouri 4-H Foundation trustee in 1990-2008, including president in 1997-99 and as a National 4-H Council trustee in 1998-2007.
4-H reaches young people and their leaders where they are and helps them to expand their skills and experiences in new and many times unexpected ways. Members are challenged early and often by dedicated leaders to speak up and get involved. 4-H’ and their leaders learn and grow together, helping to make their community and the world a better place. It is a simple concept that really works.
Categories: 2025
