Minnesota County corn and soybean growers boards are getting into the holiday spirit.

The Nicollet/Sibley Corn and Soybean Growers Association held their annual winter soy food drive on Dec. 7.

“The hardest time for the food shelf is now and come June, we are not only helping the community, but we are helping the soybean industry,” says Tracy Gaalswyk, vice president of the Nicollet/Sibley Corn and Soybean Growers Association.

The board has also decided to start an annual summer drive that supports corn products. The soy food is brought to the local food shelves in St. Peter and Gaylord. “Helping our community thrive is important to us and this is a way we can help those in need around the holidays,” says Steve Hulke a county board member and Minnesota Soybean Grower Association (MSGA) director.

Spending $1,200 at the HyVee in New Ulm, the shoppers only bought foods that included soy as an ingredient. This included products such as soy milk, cereal, oil coffee creamer, ramen noodles, pasta sauce, fiber bars and more.

Swift County hams it up

The Prairie 5 Community Action food shelf in Benson is preparing for the winter holidays with the help of the Swift County Corn and Soybeans Growers Association.

The food shelf received $500 worth of hams as part of the annual ham donation made by area farmers. Ham is a traditional meal for families, especially at Christmas time. The Swift County farmers have made it a point to support their community during the holiday season by donating hams to the food shelf.

“The Swift County Corn and Soybean Growers Association enjoys helping local families during the holiday season,” says Tony Hughes, a Swift County board member and farmer from Benson. “By donating pork, we’re supporting both families and other farmers, as pork is one of the largest consumers of soybeans.”

The donation also supports local animal agriculture. Ninety-eight percent of the soybean meal produced in the United States is used to feed livestock including pigs, cows and poultry. Soybean meal is an excellent protein source for livestock.