Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County

The Soybean Solution

The soybean is often called the miracle crop! There is perhaps no other crop that has as many uses as the soybean!

This versatile bean is a major food source in our world today. One acre of soybeans will produce 584 pounds of protein - enough to sustain one person for more than 6 years!

Soybeans, a renewable resource, also play an important role in industry, Non-toxic, biodegradable soybean oil can be found in fuels, plastics and inks; while building materials made with soy flour and recycled paper are helping to preserve our natural resources!

Soybeans not only benefit our health and environment, they also benefit our nation's economy! They are the leading U.S. agricultural export and account for over 120,000 jobs in the U.S. It has been estimated that soybeans have contributed over $800 billion in U.S. economy during the last seventy years!

Some edible uses of soybeans include products from refined soyoil, soybean lecithin, whole soybean products, and soybean protein products: salad dressings, sandwich spreads, margarine, cooking oil, baskery products, seeds, soy sprouts, soy flour, roasted soybeans, tofu, miso, soymilk, and soy sauce.

Some industrial uses of soybeans include: diesel fuel, soap/shampoo/detergents, vinyl plastics, electrical insulation, inks for printing, paints, lubricants, dispersing agents, and dietary/medical uses.

For additional information regarding our curriculum please contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County at (914) 285-4620.

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