The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association has 45 organized county organizations. Each of these counties has events throughout the year to help promote and educate farmers and non-farmers about soybeans. For an organization to be truly grassroots, it needs the help of many. Organized MSGA counties provide a true boots-on-the-ground approach. The efforts of these counties are truly remarkable.  Around the Counties highlights some of the many things our county boards are involved in throughout the year.

Nobles

On July 27, the Nobles County Corn and Soybean Growers hosted the Worthington Chamber of Commerce Mixer at the Hansberger family farm north of Worthington.

More than 50 members from Worthington’s business, political and newspaper communities feasted on rib-eye sandwiches and freshly cut French fries in Plenish high-oleic soybean oil from DuPont Pioneer.

The Nobles County Corn and Soybean Growers are in the planning stages of a fall promotion (tentatively scheduled for November) that will focus on the benefits of cooking with High Oleic Soy Oil.

Faribault

On Aug. 8, the Faribault County Corn and Soybean Growers held their annual banquet and golf event at Riverside Town and Country Club in Blue Earth. More than 120 golfers from the area’s farming and business communities participated in the 11-hole golf event. A pork chop supper capped off the day, and the corn and soybean growers held a raffle to conclude the event.

Martin

The Martin County Corn and Soybean Growers hosted their annual meeting and golf event on July 29 at Fox Lake Golf Course in Sherburn.  About 100 people attended the steak dinner that followed the golf event. After the annual meeting, the corn and soybean growers gave away prizes, including Minnesota Soybean products and a pair of tickets to a Minnesota Twins game.

Kandiyohi

With more than 10 parades on the calendar and a night at the Stingers game, the Kandiyohi County Corn & Soybean Growers have had a busy summer participating in a variety of local summer events.

The Stingers are Willmar’s Northwoods League team and have been working with the Kandiyohi Corn & Soybean growers for the last couple years to promote agriculture throughout the season. On June 28, the Kandiyohi County Corn & Soybean Growers were the featured sponsors and participated in many gameday activities including throwing out the first pitch, mascot races and pre-game t-shirt giveaways. Throughout the season, signage and PA announcements are made each game sharing corn and soybean facts promoting animal agriculture, ethanol and biodiesel and crop production.

Nicollet/Sibley

The Nicollet/Sibley Corn and Soybean Growers held a summer soy food drive Aug. 9. Usually held in December, the board decided to do a second food drive to help the local food shelves in St. Peter and Gaylord. Spending a little over $1,000 at the HyVee in New Ulm, the shoppers only bought foods that included soy as an ingredient. This included things like soy milk, cereal, oil, coffee creamer, ramen noodles, pasta sauce, peanut butter, chips, crackers, bbq sauce, salad dressing, bread, chocolate bars, fiber bars, noodles and soup. The items are then evenly distributed between each county’s food shelf.

Swift

The Swift County Corn & Soybean growers are dedicated to supporting their local community and continue to invest in the future of Swift County. The Swift County Corn & Soybean Growers are supporting the Swift County 4-H program by donating meat for the 4-H food stand during the county fair.

“We’re proud to support the Swift County 4-H and our local community,” says Byron Olson, Swift County Corn & Soybean Growers Association treasurer. “Livestock is our largest customer and it’s important we do our part in promoting products grown right here in Swift County.”

Swift County Corn & Soybean Growers are also gearing up for the upcoming plot night on Sept. 8.

Freeborn

Freeborn County Corn & Soybean Chairman Cole Pestorious played host to the Farm Journal Soybean College and the Farm Journal Soybean Corn College. The three-day event was held Aug. 9-11 at Pestorious’ farm near Albert Lea, Minn. The event came on the eve of its 14th annual Freeborn County Ag Open, which has raised more than $100,000 in scholarships for Freeborn County students going into ag-related careers.

McLeod

McLeod County Corn & Soybean Chairman Brian Thalmann and his family hosted a Field to Fork CommonGround event Wednesday, Aug. 10 at his farm near Glencoe, Minn. Thalmann said the event had “a nice” turnout with plenty of good conversation between farmers and participants.

Murray

Recognizing the importance and the appreciation of agriculture came to Murray County in the form of fast cars and loud noises when Ag Appreciation Night returned to the fairgrounds in Slayton on July 29.  Commodity organizations – including the Murray County Corn and Soybean Growers – and area ag businesses provided support for free admission, which drew a standing-room only crowd. Ag Appreciation Night is a great opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the important role agriculture plays in and around Murray county.

Blue Earth

Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato provided an ideal setting to celebrate Farm and Food Night on July 21. The event was sponsored in part by the Blue Earth County Corn and Soybean Growers and the Blue Earth County Farm Bureau and the Pork Producers. Free admission, free pop and hot dogs were provided to the first 300 fans who came to cheer on the Mankato Moondogs.  With game-time temperatures in the low 90s, the event still drew a large crowd – and a Moondogs win!

Kittson

Five local fire departments in Kittson County recently received some welcomed support from the Kittson County Soybean Growers.

Fire departments throughout the state rely on the generous support of their residents, communities and organizations to assist in the purchase of new or updated equipment and trucks that enable them to provide only the best in rescue and emergency services to their counties.

The Kittson County Soybean Growers recently donated $500 toward the purchase of biodiesel to each fire department. Biodiesel is made primarily from the oil of Minnesota-grown soybeans, having been successfully added to every gallon of diesel sold in the state.

Norman

Norman County Soybean and Corn Growers sponsored the Norman County Fair. They were able to help bring corn and soybean play pits for the younger attendees.

Polk

Polk County Growers sponsored the Polk County Fair and were in the Fertile parade. County Director Wayne Olson from Fosston helped promote the soybean industry in the parade on July 10.

County Corn and Soybean Growers, Farm Bureau Pair to Host Breakfast on the Farm Events

Throughout the summer, many counties host a Breakfast on the Farm event, in conjunction with Farm Bureau, as an opportunity for people to see a real farm in their community, eat breakfast and learn about farming. The Blue Earth and Scott/Le Sueur County Corn and Soybean Growers will be sponsoring one of the last events for the summer on Aug. 13 outside Kasota, Minn.