The Lyon County Soybean & Corn Growers and their checkoff dollars are supporting community members in need this holiday season. The organization donated a $1,000 check to the Lyon County Heart to Heart to purchase hams to go in food boxes to be distributed on Dec. 13.  

“These funds will go a long way to help us put food on the table for many families in our communities,” said Lyon County Heart to Heart member Ben Alcorn. “It’s the support of groups like yours that make our mission possible.”  

 Pork products such as ham and Minnesota soybeans go hand in hand. Soymeal makes up 42% of the meal fed to livestock, and an estimated 1.25 million tons of soymeal is required to feed all of Minnesota’s pigs. Minnesota ranks second in the nation in pigs raised.   

“No one should go hungry, especially over the holiday season,” said Lyon County Corn & Soybean Growers Director JJ Jacobson. “It is our job as farmers to feed the world, starting with our community. This donation was a great way to do that.” 

The Lyon County Heart to Heart has provided holiday food boxes to local residents for nearly 40 years, averaging 400-600 boxes each year. In 2025, the organization is looking forward to distribution day on Dec. 13 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The food boxes include everything a family would need to make a Christmas meal: meat, potatoes, cheese and crackers; vegetables, fruits and dessert.  

“It is a heart-warmer act to give back to the community and help fill the food boxes,” said Brad Verly, president of the Lyon County Board. “And a plus knowing the donation is going towards a food product that increases corn and soybean usage.”  

 About the Lyon County Corn and Soybean Growers Board    
Lyon County is affiliated with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, a 15-person, farmer-led board that oversees the investment of checkoff dollars on behalf of the nearly 25,000 soybean farmers in Minnesota. The Council is governed by the rules of a federally mandated checkoff program requiring all soybean producers to pay a fee on the soybeans they sell. This money is used to promote, educate and develop market opportunities for soybeans.