Indiana soybean farmers were represented in Washington, D.C. last week at the Spotlight on Innovation sponsored by the Senate Committee on Agriculture after a hearing on biobased products.
Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) was invited to participate by Senator Joe Donnelly because of the work the state checkoff organization has done to find new uses for soybeans.
The event took place following the Senate Ag Committee hearing on the bioproducts sector called “Grow it Here, Make it Here: Creating Jobs through Biobased Manufacturing” on June 17.
More than 30 companies and entities from 20 states, who are involved in developing and producing biobased products, had displays on Capitol Hill. Some notable participants in the showcase included, Ford Motor Company, DuPont, and the Sherwin Williams Company.
ISA displayed information about a new soy-based concrete sealant and other soy-based products developed with Indiana soybean checkoff support. The Soybean Product Innovation Competition at Purdue University was also featured.
“This was an exciting opportunity for Hoosier soybean farmers to showcase their 20-year history of innovation through the sponsorship of new uses competition at Purdue University,” said Melanie Batalis, ISA director of new uses who attended the showcase. “Thanks to Senator Donnelly, we were able to highlight the innovations – like soy candles and crayons – this competition has brought to fruition, as well as the current research on soy-based concrete sealant at Purdue.”
Building around the Senate hearing and showcase, the United Soybean Board also held their annual biobased workshop, the Biobased Stakeholder’s Dialogue. The workshop brought together many companies and organizations to examine and discuss issues important to the growth and development of the biobased sector.
“ISA is no stranger to investing in the development of new biobased products. Hoosier soybean farmers have used their checkoff dollars to support these new product innovations for 20 years,” said Batalis. “Market opportunities for biobased products continue to grow, and this spotlight program highlighted the success of those investments.”
For more information about ISA’s efforts, visit www.indianasoybean.com.