Grainnet

Bloomington, IL—The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) last month was instrumental in landing the first International Acre Challenge donor to the World Soy Foundation (WSF).

Glauber Silveira, President of Aprosoja, the Mato Grosso Soybean Producers Association of Brazil, pledged one hectare of Brazilian soybeans during the annual Commodity Classic held in Texas.

Silveira joins several Illinois soybean growers in the call to reduce world hunger and malnutrition.

Illinois farmers who have pledged are Bill Wykes of Plano, Darryl Brinkmann of Carlyle, Dean Campbell of Coulterville, Ronald Moore of Roseville, Joe Murphy of Harrisburg and Doug Winter of Mill Shoals.

The Brazilian soybean growers attended the Commodity Classic as part of a unique cooperative effort between ISA and Aprosoja.

The partnership encourages productive dialogue between the two organizations.

ISA is dedicated to driving demand for Illinois soybeans, and international relationships are important to building understanding and efforts to expand markets.

“We applaud these Illinois soybean farmers and Silveira for their actions that will aid the WSF’s work to provide nutritious soy-based meals to thousands of children in developing countries,” said David Hartke, soybean grower from Teutopolis, IL and current chairman of the ISA.

“As we prepare to plant our soybeans, this is a compelling reminder of the good our crop can do in the world.”

The donations are timely as more than 963 million people are undernourished in the world.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the ongoing financial and economic crises could tip even more people into hunger and poverty.

Under nutrition is a major contributing cause in more than one-third of all deaths of children under age five, reports UNICEF.

WSF calculates that one acre of soybeans provides approximately 18,000 rations of soy protein.

One acre of soybeans, approximately 42 bushels, can also be used to make more than 2,500 gallons of soymilk or more than 40,000 eight ounce servings.

"Soybean growers are helping children enjoy diets that can make a long-term difference,” said WSF Executive Director Jim Hershey.

“Farmer support is also vital to the WSF’s work to partner with industry, hunger and development groups, Rotarians and more.”

Illinois soybean growers and their peers across the nation were instrumental in creation of WSF, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

WSF works with private volunteer and non-governmental organizations to deliver soy protein and nutrition education to people who need it around the world.

Projects sponsored by WSF include complementary foods for children 6-36 months, school feeding programs and nutrition assessment and research services.

To join the fight against hunger and malnutrition with soy and the Acre Challenge, visit www.worldsoyfoundation.org.

For more information, call 309-663-7692.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• ISA
• World Soybean Foundation

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