Last year, the United Soybean Board wanted soybean farmers to learn more about how their checkoff program was helping their bottom line. Thus, the See For Yourself program was created. After a successful first year, the program was continued, and this year, 10 soybean farmers representing eight states, went on a trip to see how the soybeans they grow are being used throughout the world.
Ohio soybean farmer Christopher Gibbs (seventh from left) and United Soybean Board Audit and Evaluation Chair Jim Stillman (sixth from right) take time out from a walking tour of downtown Guadalajara, Mexico to pose with the rest of the See for Yourself participants for a group photograph.
This year, the group started in St. Louis and from there went to Guadalajara, Mexico. I wasn’t on the trip but I had a chance to talk with two growers who were. Jim Stillman, USB’s Audit and Evaluation Chair and a soybean farmer from Emmetsburg, Iowa and Christopher Gibbs, a soybean farmer from Maplewood, Ohio.
Gibbs heard about the program online. He said of his experience, “I didn’t have any real examples of how the soybean dollars were being used, and this trip gave me a real opportunity to see this first hand. I think the goal of this trip was met.” He encourages anyone who is interested in learning more about the program to apply for next year’s trip.
Stillman gave me the rundown on everything they saw and did which you can hear in the interview below. “All the farmers were very impressed and quite in awe of all the things the soybean board is doing in the international markets. We will call on these farmers throughout the year,” said Stillman, “to have them talk about their experiences.”
You can hear about Christpher Gibbs’ and Jim Stillman’s expereinces first-hand in the back-to-back interviews below.
It’s that time. Time for the 2009 Farm Progress Show. I know a lot of people and a lot of work has been going on in Decatur, IL already and I’ll be on location tomorrow afternoon. Cindy and Carly will be going to their first FPS. It looks like they’ll have some great weather. That’ll be a change.
and 
To make their point in a pretty funny way, ALG released this 
What do you think of when you hear that there’s a sled running on biodiesel? Probably not thinking tractor pull sled are you? Unless you’re a tractor pull fan. Well those big machines that the tractors and trucks pull are also diesel powered and in Jefferson City, MO there’s a company that manufactures them and runs them on biodiesel.
Donnie says they do over 160 shows a year around the country. At the Midwest Extreme Truck and Tractor Pull in Jefferson City he says they had two sleds in operation. He says they run B20 in them and have been for over 3 years very successfully. Donnie says they’ve had a lot of luck locating the fuel when they need it, especially at major truck stops.
This soybean grower from Missouri doesn’t plant corn with the machine he’s standing next too. No way. But he does power it with a biodiesel blend and compete in tractor pulls across the United States. He’s Dennis Shramek and one of the competitors in this weekend’s NTPA Midwest Extreme Truck and Tractor Pull. Thank you to the 
John Deere has once again come out with a whole list of new product announcements. The big one is about their introduction of the 
McCormick Company is celebrating 20 years in business and held a great event yesterday to not only enjoy this milestone but assist a good cause at the same time. Thanks to Janell Aust for the information and photo.
“There’s really no better way to celebrate being a part of the Kansas City community,” said Mark Perrin, President of McCormick Company. “We get to help families in Kansas City by teaming up with local businesses and companies to reach our goal. We’re very pleased with the successful outcome.”
New Holland is brave enough to wear pink. New Holland compact tractors in Australia that is.