In the wide world of soy, the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council goes beyond the short term to play the long game.  

The local and global impacts of soy checkoffs were on the green again this year at the 2025 Farmfest, as hundreds of attendees, from toddlers to grandparents played a round on the MiniSoyta Golf Course, interacted with farmer leaders and learned how checkoff projects across the state are bringing value back to Minnesota soybean farming operations. Soy laid the foundation for the course: SYNLawn uses soybean oil to create a natural synthetic turf, using up to 80% soy content.  

The point was driven home: The soy checkoff covers the ground.  

“We had fantastic engagement at this year’s Farmfest,” Council Chair Gail Donkers said. “Our booth traffic was as high as it’s ever been, and we really had a chance to tell the story of soy in a fun way and hopefully left our visitors with some important takeaways on how the checkoff is delivering for our farm economy.”  

This year’s Farmfest theme focused on Minnesota communities that keep agriculture thriving. Each course hole was tailor made to spotlight a different region of the state. Several Minnesota communities were chosen to represent how the Council works toward improving farmer profitability through creating new, value-added uses, sponsoring innovative research projects and pushing new markets to the forefront.  

Those cities included:  

•  Waseca: Where cutting-edge research happens, specifically at the Southern Research and Outreach Center (SROC) and Plasma Blue testing unit

•  Hutchinson: A McLeod County city using soy-based road sealant and fertilizer made with soymeal

•  Ada: The first county-level SoyFoam demonstration in Minnesota. SoyFoam is a PFAS-free firefighting solution supported by checkoff funds.

•  Duluth: Through checkoff investments, the Council continues to promote Port of Duluth-Superior as an opportunity to diversify markets through shipping soybeans to emerging markets in Europe, North Africa and Uzbekistan. 

“Trade continues to be a hugely relevant topic, especially this year,” Council Secretary Pat Sullivan said. “At the end of the day, we need to build markets and grow demand, whether that’s finding new trading partners or developing value-added uses – it’s all about moving the pile.”  

Council Chair Gail Donkers (right) shares a laugh with Dan Lemke of the Linder Farm Network during the 2025 Farmfest.

The Council team continued promoting checkoff priorities through various interviews with radio, print and video outlets. For the second consecutive year, farmer leaders hosted media partners for a Tuesday morning preview of the Farmfest booth. In addition to Donkers and Sullivan, Council Directors Rochelle Krusemark, Ron Obermoller, Joe Serbus and Cole Trebesch were also on hand to discuss checkoff ROI and visit with farmers and media. CEO Tom Slunecka and Director of Research Sergio Cabello Leiva attended to make connections with producers and industry partners and discuss agronomic issues. 

“It was all hands on deck at Farmfest this year and our board and staff rose to the occasion, as always,” Slunecka said. “I couldn’t be prouder to represent our soybean industry and show how we’re working every angle across our priority areas to build a better tomorrow for our farmers.”