Who says you can’t raise awareness and sprout competition at the same time?  

That’s what the Goodhue County Corn & Soybean Growers are swinging for during the Corn and Soybean Cup baseball game. The Cannon Falls Bears and the Faribault Lakers will resume their rivalry for an ag night at the ballpark. 

On June 5, 2024, a friendly game of the Bears vs. Lakers will take place at the John Burch Park in Cannon Falls at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free for corn and soybean growers in the county that evening, thanks to the Goodhue County Corn & Soybean Growers board promoting Ag Night at the park.   

“We’re excited to partner with the Cannon Falls Bears to promote ag,” Goodhue County Corn & Soybean Grower president Brad Hovel said. “We thought this would be a good opportunity to educate a larger audience on the uses of corn and soybeans.” 

Corn and soybeans are found in everyday items; even products and goods found in a baseball park. Soybean oil can be found in paint used around the park, snacks around the park contain corn and soybean byproducts; even the oil used to rework baseball gloves can contain soybean oil.  

There are more commonalities between farming and America’s pastime than seem possible.  

With this friendly competition at the baseball park, the board can reach consumers who might be unfamiliar with the various uses, as well as expanding efforts to reach a larger audience.  

In this one-night contest, the Bears and Lakers will face off for the bragging rights and the Corn and Soybean Cup trophy, sponsored by the Goodhue County Corn & Soybean Growers. Throughout the night, be sure to listen for the “Did You Know?” corn and soybean read offs from the announcer.  

The Lakers took home the Corn and Soybean Cup trophy last year. The Bears are looking to even the score in 2024.  

“Our board wanted to support a local organization, as well as promote ag, and this was a perfect opportunity to do so,” Hovel said. “We hope those who attend leave with a little more knowledge on the two commodities than they had before.”  

The Goodhue board felt the need to continue advocating for Minnesota agriculture and its impact on the state’s economy and environment.   

About Goodhue County 

The Goodhue County Corn & Soybean Growers Association is affiliated with the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, which oversees the investment of soybean checkoff dollars on behalf of nearly 25,000 soybean farmers in Minnesota. The Council is governed by the rules of a federally mandated checkoff program that requires 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.