Kansas Soybean Stories

Farm to Fork: Building trust with future dietitians

Published by Jayce Brandt

Story by Jancey Hall, director of programs and outreach The buzz of a room with constant conversation – curious questions, thoughtful answers, laughter, and connections – you can feel the rapport building over shared values and visions. That’s my sweet…

Emerging Leaders Academy Class 9, Phase 2

Published by Jayce Brandt

Story by Jancey Hall, Director of Programs and Outreach Always in pursuit of elevating the voice of Kansas soybean farmers, the Kansas Soybean Association and Commission created an outreach and training program designed to immerse participants in all stages of…

Soy’s Key Nutrients

Published by Jayce Brandt

Written by Chelsey Amer, MS, RDN, CDN Key Takeaways: Soy is one of the most nutrient-dense plant foods you can consume. Different from other legumes, soy has higher protein and fat content while containing fewer carbohydrates.1 In the U.S., most…

Trade Mission to Turkey and Egypt: CEO’s notes

Published by Jayce Brandt

People do business with people they trust. It doesn’t matter if it’s a farmer in Colby buying fertilizer or a poultry producer in Cairo buying soybean meal. Price matters. Quality matters. Logistics matters. But most important of all, trust matters.…

A Seat at the Table: the Kansas Soybean Etiquette Dinner

Published by Jayce Brandt

On January 26, the Kansas Soybean Commission and the Kansas State University College of Agriculture partnered to host an Etiquette Dinner designed to prepare students for professional success. Aligned with KSC’s mission to support soybean farmers through promotion, education, and…

Exploring Egypt: the Soybean Checkoff at Work

Published by Jayce Brandt

Story by Austin Heiniger, Fairview, KS In January, I had the opportunity to go on a trade mission to Egypt as part of the United Soybean Board’s See for Yourself Tour. I’d like to lay a bit of a foundation…

Shared Values, Stronger Truths: Ag Immersion Tour 2025

Published by Jayce Brandt

Story by Jancey Hall, Director of Programs and Outreach I live for a warm fuzzy moment. The excited, squealy ‘aww’ when a baby pig comes out, the joy at seeing calves frolicking, the amazement of being in a combine for…

Kansas Soybean Commission issues request for proposals

Published by Jayce Brandt

Take a closer look at the process the commission uses to make funding decisions Each year in early fall, the Kansas Soybean Commission issues a request for proposals, inviting researchers to apply for an allocation of soybean checkoff funds. These…

Commission gets onboard funding exports project

Published by Jayce Brandt

KSC contributes $25,000 to port expansion for 1 million metric tons of soybean capacity On Wednesday, September 24, Kansas Soybean commissioners and staff traveled with the Soybean Transportation Coalition to the Port of Houston, where STC presented The Andersons, Inc.…

Relationships key in long-term trade strategy

Published by Jayce Brandt

Kaleb Little reflects on trade mission to Japan and South Korea Positive news is hard to come by when it comes to agriculture markets and trade right now, but the market development work of the soybean checkoff doesn’t stop. We…

Kansas farmers connect with diverse global customers at Soy Connext 2025

Published by Josey Mestagh

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) brings U.S. Soy buyers, sellers, growers and visionaries together every year for the premier global industry event: Soy Connext. Against a backdrop of changing trade dynamics and increasing global demand for reliable, high-quality soy…

Kansas farmer immerses in international trade

Published by Josey Mestagh

United Soybean Board Director and Kansas soybean farmer Charles Atkinson attended the 2025 United States Meat Export Federation, Latin America Product Showcase in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The showcase connected exporters of U.S. beef, pork and lamb with buyers from Central…

Dynamic Duo: high oleic soy, dairy cattle

Published by Amanda Manville

Value proposition brought by checkoff supports profitability for growers and dairies Milk and cookies move over – there is a new perfect pairing gaining traction. In the soybean checkoff’s pursuit to “move the pile” and find new demand markets for…

Osage Co. bridge uses STC innovation

Published by Amanda Manville

A bridge in Osage County – just northwest of Scranton on West 149th Street – is standing stronger than ever thanks to a replacement project that used a structuring method championed by the Soy Transportation Coalition. The Kansas Soybean Commission…

Farm to Fork: Bridging Ag and Nutrition

Published by Amanda Manville

“What’s your favorite season on the farm?” “Is your farm sustainable?” “What’s the life cycle of a dairy cow?” These questions and more could be heard as dietetic students filled their bingo cards, ate food featuring crops and livestock raised…

K-State celebrates Rezac as distinguished alumnus

Published by Amanda Manville

A Kansas Soybean Commissioner with a notable history of service to farming peers has now earned accolades from Kansas State University. Lance Rezac received the K-State College of Agriculture Distinguished Alumnus Award April 12. Following nearly two decades of service…

“A Full Circle Moment:” ELA class eight completes final phase

Published by Amanda Manville

After three experiences in three months, participants from the eighth class of the Kansas Soybean Emerging Leaders Academy are out in their communities amplifying the lessons learned. The third and final phase set in New Orleans, Louisiana, in February focused…

K-State trio evaluates soy ingredient usage

Published by Amanda Manville

Multi-faceted project focuses on students’ perception changes Kansas State University students working their way through food science and bakery science studies are sure to know more about soybeans — and the ingredients that come from this versatile crop – before…

Emerging Leaders explore soybean industry logistics

Published by Amanda Manville

In the ever-important pursuit of ensuring agriculture has a bright future, Kansas Soybean prioritizes the development of ready leaders. The eighth class of Kansas Soybean’s Emerging Leaders Academy embarked on a tour of various companies in the state January 14-16…

Phelon selected for Vice-Chair of Soy Transportation Coalition

Published by Josey Mestagh

Raylen Phelon, Melvern farmer, was selected at the Vice-Chair of the Soy Transportation Coalition during their annual board meeting in Mobile, Alabama in November. The Soy Transportation Coalition’s goal is to position the soybean industry stakeholders to benefit from a…

Berryton farmer elected to Clean Fuels Governing Board

Published by Josey Mestagh

Clean Fuels Alliance America hosted their November Membership meeting in Washington, D.C. During this time Clean Fuels and farmers across the country met with law makers and their staff to educate them about agriculture. Bob Haselwood, Berryton, was elected to…

K-State fashion design students innovate soy textiles

Published by Josey Mestagh

Two teams of Kansas State University fashion design students took sustainability to new heights level in the school-level NEXTILE: Soy in Textiles Design Challenge. It is just the second year of the NEXTILE competition, and students from 21 universities put…

Ag Immersion sets foundation for dietetic careers

Published by Josey Mestagh

In October, ten dietetic interns and one PhD student from Kansas State University set out on a three-day journey to discover all that Kansas agriculture has to offer. The Kansas Soybean Commission and Kansas Farm Bureau partnered to immerse the…

Crush facility opening kickstart Fall

Published by Josey Mestagh

September marked an important milestone for soybean markets in Kansas with the ribbon cutting ceremonies for two new soybean crushing facilities. Nearly 100 farmers, media, industry and elected officials gathered in Goodland September 18 to welcome an oilseed crushing facility…

U.S. farmers win with PNW port expansions

Published by Josey Mestagh

The Federal Railroad Administration announced October 25 that the Port of Kalama in Washington received over $26 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for a rail expansion project at the Tacoma Export Marketing Company soybean and grain export terminal.…

Water Resources Development Act set for two years

Published by Josey Mestagh

Water conservation has been a consistent hot topic as many areas in Kansas have suffered record drought over the past few years. A sufficient supply of clean, usable water is a vital component to success in agriculture. While farmers cannot…

Checkoff grant advances community engagement

Published by Josey Mestagh

The Kansas Soybean Commission implemented a new engagement activity available for FFA chapters, 4-H members and teachers around Kansas called Beans Make Bacon. The hands-on activity allows participants to gain an understanding of how pigs rely on the amino acids…

Ag committees put forth differing Farm Bills

Published by Josey Mestagh

The yearlong, deliberative process of the 2024 Farm Bill, took a significant step forward when the House Agriculture Committee completed their markup of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 and passed it out of committee on May…