A single soybean may be small. But when it comes to ensuring a healthy, sustainable global food supply, the effects of this crop are mighty.Case in point: Around 86.5 million acres of soybeans are grown here in the U.S. each year. (That’s about the size of New York, Florida, Vermont, Illinois, and Connecticut combined.) “Every block of tofu, pork chop, chicken, or egg in your home—U.S. soybean farmers take pride in providing affordable and sustainable products that feed both humans and animals,” says Steve Reinhard, an Ohio-based farmer who is the chair of the United Soybean Board, a farmer-led organization that represents the half-million soybean farmers across the U.S.That much land use has a huge impact, of course—which means it’s crucial that farmers consider the environment, so we can keep producing soy and all its byproducts for decades to come. What exactly are U.S. soybean farmers doing to keep the farming and harvesting process green? Once you find out, you might never look at a bowl of edamame in quite the same way again.Sustainable Soy Farming 101Quick refresher for the uninitiated: Per the USDA, sustainable farming is a method that protects the environment, aids and expands natural resources, and makes the best use of nonrenewable resources. And sustainability practices are employed by 95 percent of U.S. soybean farmers. “As we strive to meet increased international demand a… Click below to read the full story from Men’s Health
Read More