In the more than three decades since the national soy checkoff program launched, growers often wonder where, when, why and how checkoff resources are directed toward funding research, creating value-added uses and increasing market access.  

The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) is inviting growers from across the state to get a closer look this summer by applying to participate in WSMB’s second statewide See For Yourself (SFY) mission Aug. 12-14. The tour’s first iteration was held in August 2024 in Wisconsin and Illinois, comprising WSMB and the Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA) leaders. This year, WSMB is inviting grower participation from beyond the board.  

“We welcome the opportunity to be transparent and bring in our state’s soybean producers to join us and see for themselves how the soy checkoff is driving profitability and innovation at every turn,” WSMB Executive Director Adam Kask said.  

The board is offering spots to eight active Wisconsin soybean farmers. The delegation will also include WSMB farmer leaders, staff and University of Wisconsin researchers, including Dr. Shawn Conley. Expenses, which include two nights lodging, meals and transportation, will be provided by WSMB.  

Checkoff check in 

The tour will begin Tuesday morning, Aug. 12 at the Arlington Research Station, where Conley and colleagues Damon Smith and Rodrigo Werle will showcase the latest advancements in checkoff research. 

“We work with farmers a lot,” said Conley, a WSA director. “They want to know what their checkoff dollars are being used for, so my biggest goal is showing the work and significant amount of research dollars that farmers are supporting, and how we take very seriously the opportunity given to use these monies in a good way.”  

Conley said he’s also excited to demonstrate the latest technologies in drone and sprayer technologies.  

“There’s a lot of tools we’re developing in AI that we want to show growers,” he said. “Farmers like to see the cool things we’re doing with our technologies.” 

The delegation will then head to Chippewa Valley Technical College for an outdoor demonstration of SoyFoam, a soy-based firefighting foam created by Wisconsin native Dave Garlie’s Cross Plains Solutions.  

“SoyFoam is a project our board continues to be passionate about as a value-added use that protects our first responders, and we’re seeing that momentum behind a soy-based firefighting foam spreading across the country right now,” WSMB President Jonathan Gibbs said.  

On Aug. 13, growers will visit another WSMB checkoff investment, the DeLong Co.’s Agricultural Maritime Export Facility at Port Milwaukee. The terminal is estimated to increase exports through Port Milwaukee by as much as 400,000 metric tons per year. Kask, who’s toured the facility multiple times, said WSMB continues to search for new international markets for the state’s soybean farmers, who export around 60% of their commodity.  

“Diversifying our markets, promoting new uses and sponsoring some of the nation’s most advanced soybean research – those are all core priorities our farmers are depending on to improve their bottom line,” he said.  

Following an afternoon visit to a Wisconsin farm, growers will stay in the Madison area the night of Aug. 13. The SFY tour will conclude Aug. 14 with a return visit to the Arlington Research Station for a plot tour. Click here to review the tentative agenda. Interested SFY applicants can click here to apply for the SFY mission by July 22. Farmer applicants selected by WSMB will be notified by July 25.