Teacher Tools

Where did soybeans come from?

Soybeans were first discovered in China over 5,000 years ago; this is where the crop began its long journey of providing all-natural nutrition for good health.

In the early 1800’s, soybeans were carried by ships and brought over to America from China. It took nearly 100 years before American farmers began to recognize the new crop’s potential.

Between 1929 and 1939 soybean production in the United States increased by 970 percent.

William Morse, the Father of Soybeans in America, is believed to have done more for the soybean industry than any other man.

The soybean enthusiast introduced thousands of Asian soybean varieties to American soil and did extensive research on soyfoods.

Ag-related questions we like to ask:

• Where does your food come from?
• What is your shirt made of?
• What do farmers use to plant their crops?
• What is a crop rotation?

Most children, as well as adults, answer these questions wrong…

Our purpose is to help reeducate the masses on where their nutrition really comes from. We put together a children’s activity book for the purpose of teaching youth about soybeans.

Also available: THE AMAZING SOYBEAN poster
If you would like more information, please contact us at gthompson@tnsoybeans.org