The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council funds future soybean stewards with the first-ever Soy Innovation Challenge and mainstay fiber and oil crop proficiency.
With education as a core tenant of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council’s (MSMC) mission, thirteen farmer-directors unanimously voted on initiating the inaugural Soy Innovation Challenge.
The Soy Innovation Challenge aims to engage FFA members in creating valuable exhibits and ideas based on the soy value chain to display at Missouri Soybeans’ Center for Soy Innovation in Jefferson City, Missouri.
“After a year of strategic planning and collaboration with Missouri FFA, we are proud to offer this unique opportunity to high school students interested in soybean production and showcase their creativity,” said Baylee Asbury, director of outreach and education. “This first-of-its-kind contest provides a multitude of career readiness and educational benefits to the students and also helps grow our engagement at the Center for Soy Innovation.”
The Soy Innovation Challenge is a two-part contest where chapters designed and developed an exhibit for the Center and submitted proposals for MSMC to consider. The top five chapters in the state traveled to the state’s capital to present to a panel of judges including an MSMC board member, industry stakeholder, soybean staff and Missouri state representative.
This year’s winner is the Savannah FFA Chapter. Savannah worked in conjunction with ATHCO LLC to design a six-piece interactive play panel display that will not only tell the story of soybean production but also navigate new uses of soybeans. These 3D panels will bring to life the journey of soybeans from field to research and development to processing. Each panel will provide an individual experience to help explain soybean production to elementary-aged students. 
“This opportunity offered by the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council for Missouri FFA chapters is phenomenal,” said Teresa Briscoe, Missouri FFA executive secretary. “Not only are the awards generous, but the chance for FFA members to work as a team within their chapter to plan and present a design idea closely aligns with the philosophy of our program. Chapter members will not only be advocating for the No. 1 industry in Missouri but also using skills of marketing, communicating and planning that they have learned in the classroom.”
The top three chapters were awarded cash prizes up to $10,000 at the Missouri FFA Convention to be implemented however they choose, depending on soy-related activities.
“Our student’s takeaway from this experience goes beyond a newfound appreciation for the soybean industry,” said Jessica Aeschliman, adviser and agricultural education instructor for Savannah. “For our chapter, this award will allow us to develop our school land lab. We look forward to installing another hydrant and installing an irrigation system that will eliminate another barrier to success for our students. Additionally, we will be updating parts of our greenhouse so that we can more effectively implement plant science labs.”
The interactive exhibit will be placed in the Center for Soy Innovation as late as the 2024 field trip season.
Missouri Soybeans is also proud to pour into the future of agriculture through sponsorships. One of the ways the organization supports the Missouri FFA Association is through the sponsorship of the Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production Proficiency.
“Interest in production agriculture is paramount,” said Gary Wheeler, CEO and executive director. “With fewer farmers returning to the family operation, it is crucial that programs like Missouri FFA showcase the invaluable opportunities agriculture provides and present career paths for students to be successful. At the end of the day, organizations like Missouri Soybeans cannot move forward without future farmer-leaders.”
Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production is one of the 46 proficiency award areas recognized at the state level and was sponsored by MSMC.
This year’s winner was Aiden Plenge of the Clark County FFA Chapter. Plenge is a sophomore at Clark County R-I. His FFA advisers are Mark Lemmon and Dan Oilar.
“As a fourth-generation soybean farmer, doing what I love, it feels amazing to win this award,” said Plenge. “My work on our farm, working with the soil and seeds, doing what I’ve learned from my dad and grandpa is very rewarding. I plan to continue farming and work to expand my operation.”
Plenge’s Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project consists of an entrepreneurial 120-acre row-crop operation. Through his SAE, Plenge learned how to improve soil health to increase crop yield.
Plenge plans to expand his SAE, having 450 acres reserved for the 2024 planting season. After graduating high school, Plenge plans to become a full-time farmer, the fourth generation in his family. He also plans to attend a two-year college to learn skills to benefit his farm.
SAE programs are planned practical activities conducted outside of regular class time that help students develop and apply agricultural knowledge and skills learned inside the classroom. These activities can include entrepreneurship, placement (paid or unpaid) or agriscience research.
“Proficiency awards exemplify a well-deserved acknowledgement of an FFA member’s hard work and dedication to career development and success,” said Briscoe. “With a vast career landscape, it is easy for students to be consumed by options. Proficiencies help students minimize that stress and explore different pathways to consider after high school.”
As an FFA member, Plenge competed in the National FFA Knowledge leadership development event on the national level. He has also attended Lead, Educate, Advance, Develop Conference for Chapter Officers (LEAD) and served as part of the Missouri FFA Convention Courtesy Corp.
The Missouri FFA has more than 26,000 members representing more than 350 chapters. Ranking as the largest leadership organization nationally, the National FFA Organization has nearly 850,000 members representing 8,995 chapters in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
