Ohio Farmers pledging acre of soy for hungry
May 8, 2010....Some Ohio soybean farmers are pledging as they begin planting this spring - agreeing to donate the value of an acre of soybeans to help feed undernourished children.
As part of a nationwide initiative by the World Soy Foundation, Ohio farmers' goal is to donate the value of at least 100 acres worth of soybeans to the cause, said Jeff Wuebker, who runs a 1,300 acre soybean farm in Darke County.
An acre of soybeans, which yields an average of 42 bushels, can be used to make more than 2,500 gallons of soy milk, which is approximatley 18,000 rations of soy protein, which can be used to create flour, among other rations, Wuebker said.
"Not only is this a worthy cause that gets soy protein into undernourished kids in under-developed countries, it also brings to light the importance of soy protein and how versatile it is," he said. "An acre of soybeans can do a lot of good."
Each farmer is being asked to donate the equivalent in cash to an acre of soybeans, which would be about $500, with a goal to raise at least $25,000, Wuebker said. The donations will be used to purchase soybeans from Ohio and other U.S. farmers. They will be used to feed children worldwide, including in Afghanistan, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras and African countries.
"Farmers will continue to make donations through the fall harvest," said Jamie Butts, executive director of the Ohio Soybean Association.
View video of Ohio farmer talking to local news channel.
