High oleic soybean oil. RePLAY asphalt seal. Biodiesel.

The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) changed the way people think about soybeans at Farmfest 2018 in Morgan, Minn.

“We wanted to highlight the many uses of soybeans, and we’re literally standing on one of those uses right now with RePLAY Agricultural Oil Asphalt Seal,” says Minnesota Soybean CEO Tom Slunecka. “Telling folks that there’s more than one way to use a bean isn’t just a slogan, it’s the reality and we showed that this year at Farmfest.”

The Council issued coupons for free corn dogs, cheese curds and mini donuts cooked in high oleic cooking oil throughout the Farmfest grounds. Minnesota Soybean Director of Research David Kee also displayed several soybean varieties, including Renville, the first variety grown in Minnesota in the 1950s.

The Council debuted Indomitus, the truck built by the DieselSellerz, just days before the build of the truck airs on Discovery’s “Diesel Brothers.”

“It was a real thrill seeing people’s reactions to the truck,” says MSR&PC Director Jim Willers. “There was a lot of work put into getting this truck built, and to see it all come to fruition is extremely rewarding.”

A political stomping ground

Between congressional, senate and gubernatorial panels, over 40 current and prospective legislators met with directors from the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA). Farmers articulated to the candidates their concerns with a trade war with China, health care, and how legislators can help improve the farm economy.

“It’s so important the legislators running for office this election season understand farmers want open markets. We want to be able to sell our product and feed our families, just like everyone else,” says MSGA Secretary Bob Worth, who spent two days at Farmfest speaking with candidates. “I think the legislators understand that a hostile approach to agriculture is never good policy. Especially in today’s farm economy.”

MSGA also visited with Farmfest attendees to underscore the importance of investing in the nation’s largest soybean membership organization.

“It’s more important than ever that farmers stick together and make sure our voices are heard in St. Paul and Washington, D.C.,” says MSGA Vice President Jamie Beyer. “When Minnesota farmers invest in our organization, our voice and message only becomes stronger. Farmfest is a great platform for us to have these conversations with other farmers.”