Minnesota Soybean returns to Farmfest, and we’re bringing the fun with us.

At the 2022 Farmfest, held Aug. 2-4 at the Gilfillan Estate in Morgan, the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council and the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association are teaming up to walk attendees through the Game of Soy.

“As we prepare every year for Farmfest, our farmer-led boards encourage staff to think of creative ways to tell our story,” said Tom Slunecka, CEO of Ag Management Solutions, which oversees both MSR&PC and MSGA. “This year, we’re raising the bar.”

At Minnesota Soybean’s booth (#620), attendees can travel through the Game of Soy. The interactive board game allows attendees to select a career path, make soy stops along the trail and see for themselves how the checkoff and advocacy organizations work side by-side (and sometimes apart) to move agriculture, all while traversing the wacky twists and turns of this thing called life. Come with your thinking cap on, though: there will be life decisions to be made, along with a trivia component to the Game of Soy. Prizes will also be awarded.

Meeting face-to-face with Minnesota’s farming community is one of the biggest features of Farmfest, one of the marquee events in Minnesota agriculture. Farmer-leaders are eager to visit with growers and showcase how – through sponsoring research, creating renewable value-added uses and strengthening market access – the soybean checkoff puts farmers on the path toward profitability.

“Farmfest is one of the best chances we get all year to shake hands with growers and explain how we’re investing checkoff dollars, and how that’s benefitting their operation and financial outlook,” said Council Chair Joe Serbus, who farms in Renville County. “As Council directors, we all take pride in visiting with our peers and explaining how the checkoff program works for them.”

This year’s Farmfest will also have a heavy legislative presence. With a big election looming – local, state and federal lawmakers are all on the ballot – the Minnesota Soybean booth promises to be teeming with legislative candidates. MSGA is also celebrating its 60th anniversary on Wednesday, Aug. 3 from 1-3 p.m. in the Morton Building. “

“We always look forward to visiting with legislative and state agency leaders at Farmfest, but there will be more activity than usual this year,” MSGA Executive Director Joe Smentek said. “Both parties are going to be working hard to win the rural vote, and, of course, Farmfest is an ideal place to get that message out.”