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Soybean exhibit opens at Lincoln Park Zoo

A new, interactive exhibit designed to educate children about soybeans opened Tuesday, June 9, at the Lincoln Park Zoo in downtown Chicago.  Dave Hartke, president of the Illinois Soybean Association says the exhibit takes young people through the planting, growing and harvesting of soybeans..

“We have to reach out to our consumers here in the city and let them know that farmers are doing what we can, and educate them on how we do it,” said Hartke.

The exhibit, one the most extensive interactive soybean exhibits in the nation was developed by both the Illinois Soybean Association and the United Soybean Board with funds from the soybean checkoff.  Jim Domagalski, USB director from Michigan was at the ribbon cutting and told Brownfield he was quite impressed with the exhibit.

“I’m very impressed with the design and the simplicity of it,” Domagalski said. “That children at a young age can understand this thing, not only the children, but their parents or whoever comes along with them can see it at a level of understanding that is general, that they can see the beginning to the end process.”

The exhibit, “Soybeans: Growing Food, Growing World,” is located at the Farm-in-the-Zoo Presented by John Deere.

Interview with Dave Hartke, Pres. Illinois Soybean Association (2:30 MP3)

Interview with Jim Domagalski, USB Director from Michigan (2:45 MP3)