MARKETING - DELAWARE SOYBEAN BOARD
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The Delaware Soybean Board programs include:
Soydiesel Initiative
The soydiesel initiative has been an important program of the Delaware
Soybean Board for the past 15 months. The Delaware Soybean Board, representing
over 1,200 farmers in the state, pledged $10,000.00 in matching funds
to the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) to complete a 6-month
study evaluating soydiesel in their heavy-duty diesel vehicles. After
the successful pilot study, DelDOT has continued to purchase soydiesel
for vehicles in New Castle County.
Soydiesel is a clean, safe, sustainable fuel consisting of 80% petroleum diesel and 20% soybean oil. Biodiesels, such as soydiesel, are the only alternative fuels that can be used directly in any existing, unmodified diesel engine.
"Soydiesel will aid in improving our state's air quality, and at the same time, enhance Delaware's market for the soybean-our state's number one crop," said Michael T. Scuse, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture. "The future of agriculture relies on implementing programs and policies that increase utilization of agricultural crops. I believe that soydiesel can provide significant agricultural and environmental benefits to our region," he said.
Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania soybean farmers have banned together to broadcast commercials educating the public about the benefits of soydiesel, an environmentally-friendly fuel made from soybeans. Television commercials highlighting soydiesel are being broadcast on KYW Channel 3 in Philadelphia, MD on WBOC Channel 16 in Salisbury, MD beginning June 4th and continuing through the month of June. The ads can be seen during the early, noon, and evening local news programs, with additional commercials on the early local weekend news.
"Our goal is to increase consumer awareness about the contributions that a renewable resource like soybeans can make to improving our environment and reducing our country's dependence on foreign oil," said Martin Ross, soydiesel chair of the Delaware Soybean Board. "The Delaware Soybean Board was pleased partner with the Pennsylvania and Maryland Soybean Boards to share the cost of broadcasting the commercials," he said.
For more information regarding soydiesel's health and environmental benefits, contact Melanie Rapp, Marketing Specialist for the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the Delaware Soybean Board at 302-698-4522, in Delaware at 800-282-8685 or by email at Melanie.Rapp@state.de.us
Promotional Events
The Delaware Soybean Board promotes the soybean industry and educates
the general public about soybeans at events and festivals throughout Delaware.
The following is a list of summer promotional events and the dates and locations.
"A Day on the Farm" at Filasky's Farm - June 23, 2001
Filasky's Farm is located on Bunker Hill Road, 2 miles west of Rt. 301
Middletown. The festival will take place from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Delaware State Fair - July 19 -28
The Delaware State Fair is located on U.S. Route 13 south of Harrington.
The Board will exhibit at the Agricultural Commodities Building from 11:00
a.m. until 8:00 p.m. each day during the Delaware State Fair. Stage presentations
at the building are scheduled: Sunday, July 22, 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. - "New
Soybean Foods Available in Your Store" Thursday, July 26, 6:00 - 8:00
p.m. - "Soybean Foods and Your Health"
Farm and Home Field Day - August 8
The Board will exhibit at the event located at the University of Delaware
Agricultural Experimental Station on Route 9 near Georgetown. The event
will take place from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
The Delaware Soybean Board at the Lewes Terminal Green Market
- August 30
The Board will exhibit from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.at the Lewes Terminal
Green Market at the Lewes-Cape May Ferry Terminal in Lewes.
Land and Sea Harvest Festival - September 29
The Board will exhibit from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Land and
Sea Harvest Festival in downtown Milford on September 29.
For more information regarding Delaware Soybean Board promotions, contact Melanie Rapp, Marketing Specialist, Delaware Department of Agriculture at 302-698-4522 or 800-282-8685 or by email at Melanie.Rapp@state.de.us.
