You’ve probably seen commercials on television touting vehicles that run on crop-based fuels like ethanol and biodiesel. You may have heard of combines made with soy and corn plastics, but what about cars containing soy-based interiors? Ford Motor Company has been the first to test and incorporate seats made with soy foam into automobiles starting with their signature Ford Mustang sports car. Beginning in October 2007, Mustangs rolled off the production line containing seats made with soy. Significant funding efforts from Ford and the United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff have made this innovative soy-based technology a reality.

When you think of soybeans, what’s the first word that comes to mind? Chances are it isn’t “exciting,” but according to one soybean farmer, maybe it should be. “It’s a great time to be a soybean farmer,” says Mark Pietz from Lakefield, Minn. “I’ve been farming since 1986, and this is the most optimistic, fun time I’ve had in my farming career.” So while corn basks in all the attention, soybeans may be the unsung thrill ride. From new uses to a thriving export market to innovative technologies, here are 10 reasons to jump for joy over soy.

If your tractor were a time machine, how far into the future would you travel to see success? Now, consider doing this without a time machine – that’s what Soy 2020 is attempting. This industry group looked further into the soybean industry’s future than ever before. The goal: create proactive responses to possible challenges and opportunities in the industry that will ensure success and growth for U.S. soy – right down to the farm.

For years, U.S. soybean farmers have read headlines that screamed about the increasing competition from South America. But now the United States is approaching international marketing with a new strategy – a partnership with South American soybean farmers to drive worldwide consumption of soy.