This summer, soybean farmers with the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council are hitting the highway to promote the organization’s “Driving Soy” campaign.

The latest promotion, which runs through July 13, highlights the benefits and uses of soybean oil by donating soy-based tires to local law enforcement agencies.

Each of the state’s 44 soybean counties (Minnesota is the only state to support a county-level program) has the chance to donate a full set of Goodyear’s Eagle Enforcer All Weather tires — designed specifically for first responder vehicles traversing rugged climates like Minnesota’s — to their county sheriff’s department.

Nerstrand farmer and Rice County sheriff’s deputy Derek Estrem participated in a donation event last week.

“I want the best and the greatest in Rice County,” Estrem said at his third-generation family farm, where MSR&PC highlighted the statewide program. “It was rewarding to be asked to put on these tires because I grow the product that goes into making it.”

Members of the Rice/Dakota Soybean and Corn board joined Estrem, along with Andrea Vaubel, Minnesota Department of Agriculture deputy commissioner; Troy Dunn, Rice County sheriff; Joe Smentek, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association executive director; and commodity group leaders and legislative assistants to Reps. Angie Craig and Jim Hagedorn.

Goodyear has released four lines of tires with soybean oil compounds: Assurance WeatherReady (2017), Eagle Enforcer All Weather (2018), Eagle Exhilarate (2019) and Assurance Comfort Drive (2020).

About a bushel of soybeans is needed for each set of soy-based tires. Goodyear has increased its use of soybeans by 73% since 2018, and has pledged to fully replace all its petroleum-driven oils with soybean oil by 2040.

Estrem said the soy-based tires on his 2019 Dodge Charger will help the department respond to situations in all weather conditions. A second pair of the tires will be added to an SUV within the Rice County department. Dunn praised the grassroots campaign, and teased Estrem for his eagerness in wanting to be the first deputy to test the Eagle Enforcer tires.

“He was banging at the door,” Dunn said, adding, “We really appreciate the support of the soybean growers across Minnesota, especially Rice County."

In addition to the county promotion, the council will give away Goodyear’s popular Assurance WeatherReady tires, also made with soybean oil, at this year’s Minnesota Farmfest (Aug. 3-5) and Big Iron in Kasson (Sept 13-15).

A third set of the WeatherReady tires, which are made for everyday vehicles, will be available through an online promotion that will allow farmers to nominate worthy nonprofits in their communities.  

Estrem grows soybeans and corn with his brother, Michael, and uncle, David, along with his cousins. The Estrems — led by Derek’s late father, Kevin, who died in 2020 — are past recipients of Rice County’s Farm Family of the Year award.

“It’s an honor to have these tires,” Estrem said.

For more information on Driving Soy, visit  Driving Soy, Minnesota Soybean (mnsoybean.org).

Source: Minnesota Soybean, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all of its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.