By Jamie Martin
Supporting the local community is a key mission for the Yellow Medicine County Corn and Soybean Growers Association. On October 17, growers hosted a special fueling event at Independent Oil Company in Canby to celebrate its 90 years of service.
“We thought it was a good time to promote the biodiesel industry and bring support to the soybean industry,” said Board Director Steve Brusven, who represents Yellow Medicine County on the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association. “The event was received very well by the community, and it was a great way to celebrate the anniversary.”
Minnesota sets the standard for biodiesel usage, requiring a B20 blend in summer and B5 in winter. This leadership is backed by advocacy from MSGA and funding from the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council. Biodiesel adoption adds almost $1.7 billion to the state’s economy and increases soybean demand by 13 percent. The use of biodiesel reduces emissions equivalent to removing nearly 250,000 vehicles from Minnesota roads each year.
“If it wasn’t for the Minnesota checkoff, we wouldn’t have a biofuels industry,” said Gene Stoel, Minnesota farmer and United Soybean Board Director. “Minnesota soybean farmers were the ones who proved biodiesel works.
The growers further engaged the public by offering a 20-cent-per-gallon discount and sharing information about biodiesel benefits. “We wanted to get our names and voices out there to show that we are doing something as soybean producers and as a soybean board, as well as to show our presence in the community,” said Brusven.
The celebration successfully combined community recognition with education on biodiesel, highlighting its environmental and economic benefits in Minnesota and across the U.S.
Photo Credit: istock-ds70
Categories: National