Monroe to celebrate usefulness of soybeans

This year Monroe County will prove there are more constructive uses for soy than tofu at the annual National Agriculture Day celebration.\nNational Agriculture Day is March 20, but the county will celebrate it March 21. The Monroe County Agriculture Committee plans to show off the soybean, one of Indiana's cash crops. \n"It's the most versatile, amazing plant," said Martha Miller, Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation coordinator and educator. "It's a tiny bean that can be used to create anything from bus fuels to candles."\n"The Joy of Soy" event will educate people on the power of the soybean. Animal feed, water-based paint and crayons can be made out of soybean products. \nThere is no admission price to the event, but attendees are asked to bring a non perishable food item containing soy. These items will be collected and donated to a local food bank. A free dinner will consist of ham, cornbread and Super Soy Nuts, which are soy nuts coated in chocolate.\nThe event will include door prizes, children's activities and displays about the bean. One of the Bloomington Transit buses will be parked outside of the community building, displaying its slogan, "Powered by Soy Biodiesel." \nLew May, general manager of the Bloomington Transit, said this type of fuel has reduced bus emissions by 10 to 20 percent. No longer dependent on foreign oil, May is happy to support an Indiana crop. \nMost Bloomington buses run on soy biodiesel fuel. Bloomington is the first city in Indiana where all government vehicles issued by the city use this type of fuel. The IU Campus Bus System and Monroe County Community School Corporation buses also run on soy biodiesel.\nAt first, Mike Clark, director of transportation for the school \nsystem, said he was skeptical about the switch from regular diesel fuel. Even though some of his family members live on a farm, he was worried the fuel wouldn't perform well in the winters.\nThe fleet of 110 buses has been running on soy biodiesel since the fall of 2004 without any problems. School bus drivers have noticed that buses are running more smoothly and the smell from the exhaust pipes isn't as bad as it used to be. Now, Clark said he is an advocate for soy biodiesel fuel. \nFrom learning more about bus fuels to sampling Super Soy Nuts, Miller said it's important for people to come to the event. \n"You'll get a sense of agriculture in the community," Miller said. "Even though Bloomington is an urban community, a large number of agriculture folks live here."\nLocal farmers are expected to attend the event and show their support for the crop. For the past 20 years, Keith McConnell has reserved 300 acres of his farm to grow soybeans. The crop is easy to plant and harvest, produces a high yield and does well in the market.\n"From an economic standpoint, soybeans are the best crop for \nMonroe County," McConnell said.