The Nobles County Corn and Soybean Growers Give to Local Food Shelf

Posted on: Mon, 04/05/2010 - 21:03 — mwidboom

The Nobles County Corn and Soybean Growers Give to Local Food Shelf

Minnesota’s soybean farmers have a long history of providing an abundant and safe food supply to the people of this state. So in an effort to help everyone enjoy this food supply, the Nobles County Soybean & Corn Growers board donated $500 to the Mana Food Pantry in Worthington.

This contribution will help put food on the tables of struggling families as well as remind people of the impact agriculture has on their daily lives – specifically soybeans.

Agriculture is the leading industry in Minnesota, with soybeans being the number one cash crop and number one export.

Soybeans first came to Minnesota in the early 1930s as a plow crop to add nitrogen to the soil for other crops. Since that time, soybean production has gone from a mere 30,000 bushels in 1934 to just over 264 million in 2008.

Minnesota is now the third largest soybean producing state in the nation. In 2008, soybean production generated approximately $2.8 billion, while export receipts totaled $1.7 billion.

Aside from being lucrative, soybeans are known as the “miracle crop” because of their nutrition and diversity. They not only provide a complete source of protein for people and animals, they are also being processed into many environmentally-friendly products such as soy ink, biodiesel fuel, soy plastics, textiles and building materials.

Looking into the future, Minnesotans can feel confident that their local soybean farmers will continue to provide them with food, feed, fuel and innovative products. For more information on soybeans, soybean production and soybean checkoff projects visit www.mnsoybean.org.