The light at the end of the harvest.
The 2022 harvest marks the end of a challenging growing season.
October was a busy month for farmers.
Crunching numbers will follow. The rising fuel costs have made harvest more expensive.
This month I spent a lot of days on the road visiting with students as young as seven and consumers of all ages.
There is an increasing awareness regarding the connection between food and health. There is a corresponding interest in local foods and particularly plant-based protein.
Is soy a vegetable? Come to find out, it is!
Source: Oxford Dictionary
Even though we grow millions of acres of soya across the Mid-South, most consumers have never eaten a cooked dry vegetable soybean.
Aside from edamame, soy is a virtually unexplored vegetable in our food culture.
The good news. Consumers are willing to try new things.
A big thanks to Dr. Melissa Cater, LSU AgCenter Regional Director-Northeast Region and Quincy Vidrine-FCS Agent-Northeast Region who hosted our sensory testing session in Winnsboro, Louisiana on October 7th.
More good news: The nutritional value of vegetable soybeans is greater than the sum of its parts.
“Can you eat them?” Yes, you can.
Over 600 folks taste-tested and evaluated whole soy foods in Louisiana and Arkansas during October.
Not everyone likes them, but most folks do.
Increasing the consumption of plant-based protein can directly impact human health. Soy is rich in protein and iron, a good source of calcium and dietary fiber, cholesterol free, and naturally low in saturated fat.
Until recent years, I never understood the degree that diet can trump genetics.
Dietary quality is powerful.
It is important for folks my age, but even more important for our children.
Kids love roasted soy nuts. Who knew?
231 students, 19 adults/teachers and 35 volunteers participated in the Poinsett County AG Day on October 11th in Harrisburg, Arkansas. A big shout out to the Poinsett County UADA Extension staff that hosted this amazing event. Craig, Brenda, Pam, and Jeff even cooked lunch for the volunteers!
So grateful for friends and partners across the Mid-South who are supporting B & B’s research and development efforts.
Thanks for following our journey.
A glimpse of fall on the farm is provided below.
Enjoy!
~Karen
