The United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff, through USB’s Biotechnology Initiative, announced a $500,000 investment in the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates in Des Moines, Iowa. This investment will be used to help create a kiosk in the new educational wing at the Hall of Laureates that will help educate the public on the value of biotechnology toward increasing U.S. soybean production.

The announcement was made by Richard Fordyce, team lead on USB’s Biotechnology Initiative and a soybean farmer from Bethany, Missouri. “The exciting things are what are to come – the soybeans that will be bred to increase protein, increase oil,” Fordyce said. “If we can move forward with worldwide acceptance of biotech crops, it could be a very exciting time. The potential is very good for soybeans in helping to address world hunger.”

The proposed educational exhibit is planned to utilize a conversation recorded this past year between the late Dr. Norman Borlaug, founder of the World Food Prize, and the chairman of the United Soybean Board. World Food Prize Foundation president Ambassador Kenneth Quinn said the donation from the U.S. soybean producers will benefit many. “I can speak on behalf of Dr. Borlaug who would tell you thank you as well,” Quinn said. “Not only on behalf of the World Food Prize, but on behalf of all those future generations of students who will come there and be able to hear Dr. Borlaug speak.”

The Hall of Laureates will be named after Dr. Bourlag and housed in the former Des Moines Library. Renovation of the 100-year-old building is expected to be complete by 2011.