ASA Honors Richard Wilkins with Pinnacle Award, ASA’s Highest Honor

The American Soybean Association (ASA) recognized the late Richard Wilkins, of Greenwood, Delaware, with its top honor during the 2026 ASA Awards Celebration at the Commodity Classic trade show in San Antonio.

The ASA Pinnacle Award is an industrywide recognition of a lifetime of work that demonstrates the highest level of contribution and leadership within the soybean family and industry.

During his 53 years of service, Richard consistently demonstrated innovative leadership that strengthened the sustainability and unity of the soybean industry. He held many roles as a soybean farmer advocate, including being a member of the Mid-Atlantic Soybean Association, former ASA president, and former state executive director of the Farm Service Agency for Delaware.

Richard began farming in 1972 with only three acres of soybeans on rented ground, expanding to 65 acres by the time he graduated high school in 1976. His early experiences instilled a lifelong respect for hard work, innovation, and the importance of producer-led leadership - principles that guided his contributions at every level of the soybean family.

At the state level, Richard served on the Delaware Water Infrastructure Advisory Council, representing farmers amid the increasing complexity of nutrient management mandates. In this capacity, he promoted science-based, practical solutions that helped producers comply with environmental regulations without sacrificing yield or economic viability.

He also played a pivotal role in the 2002 reorganization of the Mid-Atlantic Soybean Association, ensuring Delaware's soybean producers retained a strong voice within regional and national policy discussions.

In 2015, Richard was elected ASA president and led the organization through major national policy debates, most notably during the proposed Vermont GMO labeling law crisis. Under his leadership, ASA mobilized farmers and stakeholders to educate policymakers, resulting in a uniform national food labeling standard that avoided confusion, protected consumers, and preserved market stability.

Richard will be remembered for his role in ensuring fair and equitable representation for smaller soybean-producing states within the American Soybean Association. Richard's enduring impact will be measured not only by the policies he helped shape and the markets he expanded, but also by the leaders he mentored.

ASA honors the memory and legacy of Richard Wilkins in the posthumous awarding of the 2026 ASA Pinnacle Award.