The future of firefighting is about extinguishing more than just flames.  

On Aug. 16 at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) will bear witness to a new age in firefighting foam – SoyFoam TF 1122™. Currently derived from soy flour, the United Soybean Board (USB) began investing checkoff dollars into SoyFoam in October 2022. Now, SoyFoam is being tested using soymeal through a project funded by Wisconsin soybean checkoff dollars. 

“This is an exciting use for our soybeans,” said Sara Stelter, who represents Wisconsin on USB. “It’s an environmentally friendly version of foam that firefighters can use. It’s great that U.S. farmers can provide funding that will develop an alternative to a critical concern that not only Wisconsinites have, but people throughout the country.” 

SoyFoam is igniting the market as a smothering agent capable of extinguishing Class A and Class B fires while eliminating intentionally added PFAS chemicals. Its developer, Cross Plains Solutions, pegs SoyFoam as 84-percent biobased, certified readily biodegradable and made with soy grown in the United States. 

“This is yet another way that Wisconsin farmers and U.S. farmers are promoting sustainable living,” said Stelter, who also serves as president of the Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA). “We are always looking at ways that we can grow our soybeans in a more sustainable manner. Funding projects like SoyFoam is another way that we are looking to take care of the environment.” 

Committed to improving farmer profitability, WSMB takes its role as the steward of Wisconsin soybean checkoff resources seriously. 

“Soybeans aren’t called the miracle crop for no reason,” WSMB Executive Director Adam Kask said. “Wisconsin soybean checkoff investments to expand and commercialize the soy-based products portfolio is critical to increase Wisconsin soybean farmers’ bottom lines.” 

During the event, attendees will feed their flame by watching presentations on the science behind SoyFoam and touring the facility where SoyFoam is being tested. The event will continue outdoors with an exclusive look at how SoyFoam can be used to fight fires using a fire truck, a handheld extinguisher and pretreatment. 

“I’m looking forward to actually seeing it in person instead of through a video,” Stelter said. “And then I’m looking forward to hearing what firefighters have to say about it. I think it’s really important that we find out if this is something that is truly going to be usable in not only urban areas, but rural areas as well.”