Bean2Blog: Part III–Soybeans: They’re Soytastic!

by | Jun 21, 2013 | Arkansas | 1 comment

 

bean2blog 2013 group

You know I love to share the stories of Arkansas.  I’m especially delighted to continue sharing this story of #Bean2Blog 2013 with you.

Arkansas ranks in the top 10 of the soybean production states in the U.S.  Over three million acres are planted by approximately 5,000 growers across the state with sales exceeding $1 billion annually.  Obviously, soybeans are an important economic factor in The Natural State.

 

 
That’s me in the orange.
 
In mid-May, The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. as part of their mission to improve the profitability and sustainability of the soybean industry, along with garden guru, P. Allen Smith brought together approximately 20 Arkansas bloggers for the 2nd Annual Bean2Blog event at Allen’s Moss Mountain Farm Garden Home.  The focus of the event was to educate these writers regarding soybean farming and production in Arkansas.

 
West H 2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
West Higginbotham, Vice Chairman of The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board and an Arkansas farmer, talked with us about soybean uses and farming life. We explored ways in which we, as bloggers and storytellers, could assist in the telling of the soybean story.  
 
I’m looking forward to sharing more of a soybean farmer’s story with you this fall when I shadow an Arkansas farmer during harvest.  Stay tuned!
 
 
Lock StartWe heard from the producers of Lock Stars Soy Candles, about the benefits of burning soy candles and received a sweet SWAG bag of soy candles to take home and share with our family and friends.
These are  hand poured candles made using 100% soybean wax with a  maximum fragrance load.
Soy candles burn cleanly with very little or no soot,  and generally 2 – 3 times longer than traditional paraffin candles.
 
 
 
lock star candle bag
 
 
 

Thanks to Ron and Connie Locke, I was  given two bags to give away at the Foodie Friday session of Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged fall conference in September.  You are registered for that, aren’t you?

 
How do you feel about “Butt Naked” as a scent?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
There was some food involved.
DSC_0473
 
And lots of visiting…
mimi lisa
 
And meeting of new friends
mimi debbie
 
While reuniting with old ones.
 
awb group
 
 
oy
 
 
Allen taught us about planting soybeans and gave us some seeds to take home.
Mine are about 8 inches tall at this point.  Stay tuned for updates. If you see hosting my soybean stand at the farmers’ market, stop by for a visit.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Soy Facts:
  • Samuel Bowen, a sailor who had visited China, introduced soybeans to American in 1765.
  • Civil War soldiers brew soybeans as a substitute for coffee.
  • Soy protein is a complete protein, which means it contains all eight of the essential amino acids needed for human life.
  • One well-known promoter of the soybean was Henry  Ford, who spend over a million dollars on soybean research.  He once wore a suit made entirely of soybeans.
  • By 1935, every Ford car had soy involved in its manufacture. 
  • The Ford Motor Company uses 100% soy-foam based interiors for all of their vehicles.
  • Arkansas is home to eight regional seed companies and several private breeding and research stations.

    (Information courtesy of The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board.)

Soybean Products: You can check here for an extensive list of products which contain soy.  Once you start checking labels, it’s amazing to see how often soy is used.

I’ll be sharing a number of uses for soy products in recipes in the coming weeks.  I’ll hope you’ll join me for a taste.

I’d love to know you use soy products in your home as well.  Leave me a comment and tell me how you do that.

1 Comment

  1. nwafoodie
    nwafoodie on at 8:20 am

    Thanks for the fun facts about Arkansas Soybeans and soybeans, in general!

    XXOO