The ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health program partnered with the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, North Dakota Soybean Council, and the South Dakota Soybean checkoff programs to host its INTSOY: Introduction to Soybean short course this week. The program, organized by the Northern Crops Institute, brought together 21 international trade partners from Ghana, Rwanda, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic for a week of hands-on learning, industry tours, and technical sessions showcasing the U.S. soy value chain.
INTSOY offers WISHH the opportunity to introduce its international partners to soy in the United States and have them directly meet with supply chain leaders. The event is WISHH’s largest trade team of the season and builds trust and technical knowledge while fostering stronger business relationships that expand global demand for U.S. soy.
Participants began the week with field plot tours at the University of Minnesota, presentations from soybean researchers, and a deep dive into soy’s role in human health and food innovation. They then traveled to South Dakota State University to learn about functional soy protein applications in meat products and livestock nutrition, before concluding the program in Fargo, North Dakota, with NCI-led laboratory demonstrations on soymilk, tofu, tempeh, extrusion, and feed applications.
The trade team members wrap up the week on Friday with a visit to SB&B Foods’ food-grade soybean processing facility, where participants will get a firsthand glimpse of how U.S. soy is processed and delivered to meet customer needs worldwide.
“We are proud to partner with several soybean organizations to host INTSOY again,” said WISHH Executive Director Gena Perry. “It offers us a unique opportunity to connect research, innovation, and the U.S. soy supply chain directly with international customers.”
WISHH leveraged USDA Regional Agricultural Promotion, Foreign Market Development, and Market Access Program funding alongside support from Minnesota Soybean for this year’s trade team.