SALISBURY, MD. (June 8, 2015) – Two Maryland fairs will showcase the versatility of “the miracle bean” thanks to support from the Maryland Soybean Board.
First up is the Washington County Ag Expo and Fair, July 18-25 at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center in Sharpsburg. This year, nearly all printed material produced by the fair will be printed with SoyInk, a soy-based alternative to printing inks made from petroleum. SoyInk is more environmentally friendly, provides brighter colors and may make it easier to recycle paper. Learn more about the fair at www.agexpoandfair.org.
On Sept. 20, “Family Farm Day” in Baltimore County will showcase soy-based products which can be used in the home in an exhibit called “Soy Land.” Soy-based materials from furniture to sunscreen, paint to paint removers, insulations, carpet and everything in between will be shown in different rooms of a house – the kitchen, living room, office, play room, bathroom and garage. More information is available at www.marylandagriculture.org.
The soybean, often referred to as the miracle crop, provides a sustainable source of protein and oil worldwide. Soy’s properties allow its use in a variety of applications from animal feed and human consumption, to road fuel and other industrial uses.
For the past decade, U.S. soybean farmers have helped fund the development of many successful new uses for soybeans through the soybean checkoff program. Under the checkoff, farmers contribute one-half of one percent of the net market value of their soybeans for research, marketing and education programs. In 2014, the soybean checkoff helped commercialize 33 new products. All together, more than 800 soy-based products have been developed with checkoff support since 1990, when the national checkoff began.
About Maryland Soybean Board: The Maryland Soybean Board administers soybean checkoff funds for soybean research, marketing and education programs in the state. One-half of the checkoff funds stay in Maryland for programs; the other half is sent to the United Soybean Board. To learn more about the Maryland Soybean Board, visit www.www.mdsoy.com.
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For More Information:
Sandy Davis
(410) 742-9500
Susanne Zilberfarb
(410) 430-2613