The McLeod County Corn and Soybean Growers and their checkoff dollars recently donated to the Minnesota Ag in the Classroom (MAITC).

“Agriculture education is something our board supports strongly,” says Ryan Mackenthun, McLeod County Corn and Soybean Growers president. “My children come home with these materials, and it truly helps impact their agriculture education at a young age. Overall, it is just one stepping stone to pave young agriculturists’ interests into one day becoming a part of the agricultural industry.”

The program seeks to improve student achievement by applying authentic, agricultural-based content by encouraging teachers to embed agriculture into their classroom. The program cultivates an understanding and appreciation of the food and fiber system.

“The program is a benefit to everyone,” Mackenthun says. “Even in these rural communities, many students don’t have a farm background, and it is important to start their agriculture education now to help dismantle the spread of misinformation about the agriculture industry.”

The McLeod County Corn and Soybean Growers Organization is affiliated with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, which oversees the investment of soybean checkoff dollars on behalf of nearly 28,000 soybean farmers in Minnesota. The Council is governed by the rules of a federally mandated checkoff program that requires all soybean producers pay a fee on the soybeans they sell. This money is used to promote, educate and develop market opportunities for soybeans.