Prior to their June board meeting, nine Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) directors and CEO Tom Slunecka took the opportunity to see firsthand how soybean checkoff investments are making an impact in southern Minnesota.  

Tour stops for the day included Ruby Ranch, Farmamerica and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), all homed in Waseca County. The visits highlighted the many ways checkoff investments are at play to strengthen agriculture, connect consumers with farming and create new opportunities for Minnesota soybean farmers. 

“Tours like this are a great reminder of the value soybean checkoff investments bring back to farmers,” said MSR&PC Chair Gail Donkers. 

Taking root in Pemberton, Ruby Ranch is a place for students ages 3 years-old to first grade to experience a farm and nature-based learning center. Through year-round educational programming, summer camps, field trips and tours, students are encouraged to explore agriculture, nature and the world around them through curiosity and hands-on discovery. In 2025, Ruby Ranch welcomed more than 3,000 students through its doors. 

“The soybean checkoff grant has allowed us to bring agriculture and soybeans into more of our programming,” said the director of Ruby Ranch, Ashley Rehder. “Adding a soybean education station to our field trips has given students a hands-on way to learn about the soybean lifecycle, soybean products and where their food comes from. It’s exciting to see their curiosity grow as they make connections to agriculture and the world around them.” 

Thanks to checkoff investments that started in 2025, Ruby Ranch has expanded its curriculum to include soybean and agriculture-focused programming, helping introduce the next generation to farming and food production. Students can participate in activities based around the soybean lifecycle, soybean products and the role agriculture plays in their everyday lives. 

Council directors learn more about ongoing checkoff projects at AURI.

The next stop on the tour was at Farmamerica, Minnesota’s only agricultural interpretive center. Farmamerica’s mission is to connect Minnesotans to the evolving story of agriculture through hands-on educational experiences, partnerships and community engagement. Soybeans can be found throughout Farmamerica’s exhibits, from soy-based paint to products like Roof Maxx, helping showcase the versatility of soybeans beyond the farm. Each year, thousands of students, families and community members visit the center to gain a better understanding of where their everyday products come from. Last year, Farmamerica partnered with MSR&PC to host a Soy & Tech Day to highlight checkoff innovations.  

“The soybean checkoff has been an incredible partner in helping us tell agriculture’s story,” said Jessica Rollins, executive director of Farmamerica. “Through interactive exhibits, educational programming and hands-on experiences, checkoff investments help us connect thousands of visitors to agriculture each year.” 

The final stop of the tour was at AURI’s headquarters in Waseca. For more than 36 years, AURI has helped create value-added opportunities for Minnesota agriculture by turning innovative ideas into market-ready products. Through research, technical assistance and commercialization support, AURI works to develop new uses and markets for agricultural commodities, including soybeans.  

“Checkoff investments play an important role in helping AURI turn ideas into real-world opportunities for agriculture,” said Jimmy Gosse, senior scientist at AURI. “They help support the research and testing needed to create new uses and increase demand for soybeans.” 

Together, Ruby Ranch, Farmamerica and AURI showcase the many ways soybean checkoff investments are working for Minnesota farmers. Through education, outreach, research and innovation, these partnerships help build demand for soybeans and improve farmer profitability by creating lasting value for soybean growers across the state. 

“Whether it’s educating the next generation at Ruby Ranch, connecting consumers to agriculture at Farmamerica or creating new market opportunities through AURI, these partnerships help strengthen our industry and ensure checkoff dollars are working for Minnesota soybean farmers,” Donkers said.