Minnesota Soybean

What Minnesota Soybean does

Minnesota Soybean is the umbrella brand for two distinct farmer-led, non-profit organizations serving Minnesota's approximately 26,000 soybean growers: the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC), established in 1973 to administer the federally-mandated soybean checkoff, and the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA), established in 1962 as a non-partisan policy and advocacy organization. MSR&PC collects 0.5% of the market price on every bushel of soybeans sold in Minnesota, splits receipts 50/50 with the United Soybean Board, and reinvests its share in research, market development, promotion, and youth education. MSGA is funded by membership dues (tiered from $20 student to $250 three-year), event fundraising (golf tournaments, Farmfest), and donations, since checkoff funds legally cannot be used for lobbying; the organization advocates on trade, biofuels mandates, and farm policy in St. Paul and Washington, D.C. Both are governed by elected farmer boards — 15 MSR&PC directors representing state districts plus 40+ MSGA farmer-leaders — and are operationally supported by Ag Management Solutions, a shared services company created in 2017 and jointly owned by MSR&PC and MSGA.

The portfolio of checkoff- or membership-funded products and programs includes SoyFoam TF 1122, a PFAS-free, Greenscreen Certified Gold firefighting foam made from soy flour (developed with Cross Plains Solutions and deployed through the Planting to Protect county donation campaign); RePlay, a soy-oil-based asphalt rejuvenator that can extend pavement life by up to 40%; DUST, a 100% soy-protein seed lubricant; and Soybean Business, a six-times-yearly publication mailed to more than 25,000 Minnesota farmers. Programs and partnerships span biodiesel (Clean Fuels Alliance America, contributing to a $1.7 billion state-level economic impact), nutrition research (Soy Nutrition Institute Global), international trade development (USSEC, USB, USMEF), university research (University of Minnesota Extension, NDSU), and youth agricultural literacy (FFA, 4-H, MAITC reaching 145,000+ students annually). Minnesota ranks third in U.S. soybean production at 7.35 million acres planted and 51 bu/acre average yield (2023), with average annual soybean exports valued at $2.4 billion — about one in four rows going to China.

The business model is a hybrid of mandatory checkoff assessment (MSR&PC), voluntary memberships and events (MSGA), and AMS service revenue from third-party agricultural associations. Distribution is grassroots-first: 44 organized county soybean boards deploy checkoff messaging and administer local events, donations, and fire-foam campaigns, making Minnesota the only U.S. state with this level of localized farmer-led structure. Backed by a board-controlled, commodity-tied funding mechanism, the organization pursues incremental revenue and impact through new value-added product commercialization rather than traditional revenue growth.

Name

Minnesota Soybean

Legal name

Minnesota Soybean

Website

https://mnsoybean.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Minnesota Soybean comprises two farmer-led nonprofits — MSR&PC and MSGA — serving Minnesota's 26,000 soybean farmers through a federally-mandated checkoff for research and market development plus a membership-funded advocacy arm, with growing value-added products including SoyFoam firefighting foam, RePlay asphalt rejuvenator, and DUST seed lubricant.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Commodity Checkoff

NAICS

Farm Management Services (115116)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Supply Chain, Marketing & Contracting Advisory (Grain/Livestock Marketing) (AFACAJAH)

Headquarters

HQ city

Mankato

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Soybean Checkoff: Every time a grower sells soybeans in Minnesota, one half of one percent of the market price is contributed to the checkoff program. Checkoff dollars are invested at state and national level to increase farmer ROI through building markets, developing value-added uses and sponsoring agronomic research. Funds are split 50/50 between MSR&PC and the United Soybean Board.
2. Membership Dues: MSGA relies on membership and fundraising dollars to engage with elected officials. Checkoff dollars cannot be used for lobbying or advocacy, making membership the primary funding mechanism for policy engagement. Membership tiers include 3-year ($250), 1-year ($120), and Young Professional/Retired ($70).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Minnesota Soybean operates as a farmer-led umbrella organization. The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) invests checkoff dollars into research, market development, and promotion of soybean products, while the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) provides legislative advocacy and member services for soybean farmers.

Product overview

Minnesota Soybean operates two primary organizations: the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC), a farmer-led board of 15 directors that oversees checkoff dollar investments, and the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA), a nonprofit advocacy and membership organization. Key products include SoyFoam TF 1122™ (a PFAS-free firefighting foam made from soy flour developed with Cross Plains Solutions), RePlay (soy-based asphalt rejuvenator for pavement preservation), and DUST (100% soy-based seed lubricant). The organization also runs the Soybean Business magazine publication and a county soybean program across 44 organized counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SoyFoam TF 1122: First and only Greenscreen Certified Gold Fire Foam made with soy flour, PFAS-free firefighting foam
• Soybean Business Magazine
• SoyShield
• RePlay
• DUST

Products and services

• SoyFoam TF 1122 A proprietary soy-based, PFAS-free firefighting foam that is Greenscreen Certified Gold, used by fire departments as a fluorine-free alternative to traditional aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF).
• RePlay A soy-based asphalt rejuvenator designed to restore flexibility and extend the life of asphalt pavement.
• DUST A 100% soy-protein based seed lubricant used during planting to improve seed flow and reduce equipment wear.
• Soybean Business Magazine A bimonthly publication mailed to Minnesota soybean farmers covering industry news, research updates, and policy developments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Biodiesel demand for Minnesota soybeans increased 13 percent due to checkoff investments
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• United Soybean Board (USB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSB oversees the national soy checkoff. MSR&PC splits checkoff funds 50/50 with USB, which directs its portion toward national research, market development and promotion programs. MSR&PC director Patrick O'Leary also serves as a USB director.
• Cross Plains SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper of SoyFoam TF 1122, the first and only Greenscreen Certified Gold Fire Foam with no intentionally added PFAS. MSR&PC has invested checkoff funds in testing and promoting SoyFoam as a safer alternative to traditional firefighting foam.
• Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAURI works to develop new uses for agricultural products. Partnered with MSR&PC on soy-based products including DUST seed lubricant and soy-based asphalt rejuvenators like RePlay and BIORESTOR.
• Clean Fuels Alliance AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSR&PC has invested in Clean Fuels (formerly National Biodiesel Board) for over 25 years. Supports biodiesel research, promotion and education. Clean Fuels commissioned health benefits studies showing biodiesel reduces cancer risk and asthma cases.
• University of Minnesota / U of M ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing research partnership supporting soybean breeding genetics, agronomy, pest management and other agronomic research. U of M breeding program developed soybean varieties suitable for northern Minnesota climates.
• North Dakota State University (NDSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of the annual 'Best of the Best in Wheat and Soybean Research' conference. Joint research on soybean pest and disease management including soybean gall midge and sudden death syndrome.
• Soy Nutrition Institute Global (SNI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatrick O'Leary, MSR&PC director, serves as a voting board member of SNI Global, which identifies and funds soy-related human health research. Founded through USB initiative in 2004.
• Soy Transportation CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports transportation infrastructure advocacy and logistics research for moving soybeans from farm to market. MSR&PC directors actively participate in transportation conferences.
• World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSR&PC sponsors WISHH programming including the INTSOY: Introduction to Soybean short course, supporting soy market development in developing countries.
• United States Meat Export Federation (USMEF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports international meat export promotion, which drives demand for U.S. soymeal as animal feed. MSR&PC is a partner in these international market development efforts.
• USSEC (U.S. Soybean Export Council)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational market development organization for U.S. soybeans. MSR&PC collaborates on trade missions and market expansion, including the Uzbekistan market development initiative.
• Ag Management Solutions (AMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationally recognized association management company created in 2017 and owned by MSR&PC and MSGA. Provides executive, administrative, finance, technical, membership, events, sales and marketing services to both organizations.
• Soybean Research and Information Network (SRIN)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative platform for sharing soybean research findings and information. MSR&PC invests in research projects featured on the SRIN platform.
• North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional soybean research coordination program. MSR&PC collaborates on multi-state research initiatives addressing common soybean production challenges.
• Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with MSGA to promote soil health initiatives including cover crop adoption. Jointly supports Farmers for Soil Health program with United Soybean Board, corn and pork checkoffs.
• Minnesota Agriculture & Rural Leadership (MARL)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSR&PC is a longtime sponsor of the MARL program, which develops leadership skills in Minnesota's agricultural and rural leaders. Many MSR&PC directors are MARL alumni.
• Corteva AgrisciencemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSGA sponsors the ASA Corteva Young Leader Program, identifying and training engaged growers to serve as the voice of the American farmer. Corteva co-sponsors the prestigious leadership program.
• Biodiesel Plants (SoyMor, Minnesota Soybean Processors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSR&PC invested checkoff funds to assist with engineering plan development for SoyMor and Minnesota Soybean Processors biodiesel production facilities, which opened in 2005.
• American Soybean Association (ASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSGA supports six directors on ASA who represent Minnesota farmers at the national level. MSGA is a longstanding sponsor of ASA leadership programs including the Young Leader Program and Leadership At Its Best.
• Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSR&PC was a premium sponsor of Transportation Go! conference hosted by SSGA. SSGA brings together all segments of the soybean industry from farmer to exporter.
• Newfields Ag / DUSTmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDUST is a 100% soy protein-based seed lubricant developed with national checkoff funding through United Soybean Board. MSR&PC has supported its development and promotion as a cleaner, safer seed lubricant alternative.
• BioSpan Technologies / RePlaymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRePlay is a soy-based asphalt rejuvenator made of 56% soy oil and 88% biobased. MSR&PC works with AURI to promote soy-based road products that extend asphalt life by up to 40%.
• American Lung Association (ALA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner resource for information on Soybeans as Fuel, along with Clean Cities and Communities and Fueling Minnesota.
• MN Ag in the Classroom (MAITC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSR&PC has supported MAITC with checkoff funds for over 35 years, reaching more than 145,000 students each year with standards-based agricultural curriculum.
• Next Gen AgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate, independent company providing third-party data to growers. Their project titled '2024 Aphid, Plant Health, and White Mold Industry Program Yield Impact in Soybean' was funded by MSR&PC in FY24.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Illinois Soybean Association: State-level soybean checkoff and advocacy organization for a major producing state. Directly comparable in checkoff investment model, research funding, and market development programs.
• United Soybean Board: The national soybean checkoff organization that receives 50% of Minnesota's checkoff dollars. Most directly comparable as a checkoff-driven soybean promotion and research entity operating at the national level.
• Iowa Soybean Association: Combined checkoff and advocacy organization for the largest soybean-producing state. Highly comparable governance, funding model, and product commercialization (e.g., soy-based innovations) approach.
• Nebraska Soybean Board: Nebraska's state soybean checkoff organization with comparable farmer-direct governance, research investment priorities, and international market development programs.
• Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council: Missouri's soybean checkoff organization with comparable farmer-led governance, biodiesel advocacy, and checkoff-funded research programs.
• American Soybean Association: National soybean advocacy and trade association counterpart to MSGA. MSGA sends directors to ASA, making them closely linked sister organizations serving overlapping farmer constituencies.
• Indiana Soybean Alliance: Combined checkoff and policy organization for Indiana soybean farmers. Comparable in dual-board (checkoff + advocacy) structure, state-level market development focus, and biodiesel/industrial soy product investments.
• Ohio Soybean Council: Ohio's soybean checkoff organization focused on research, promotion, and education. Comparable checkoff funding model and value-added product development approach.

Regional players

• U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC): International market development organization for U.S. soybeans. MSR&PC partners on trade missions including the Uzbekistan initiative, making USSEC a closely aligned export-promotion peer.
• Clean Fuels Alliance America: National biodiesel and renewable diesel industry association (formerly National Biodiesel Board) that MSR&PC has invested in for 25+ years. Comparable in promoting soybean-derived fuel demand, though operating at industry-wide rather than state-specific level.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MNSoybean
• Facebookfacebook.com/MinnesotaSoybean
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mnsoybean
• Instagraminstagram.com/mnsoybean

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Minnesota Soybean