Republic students selected as Soy Innovation Challenge winners
- Missouri Soybeans
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
At the 98th Missouri State FFA Convention, the Republic FFA Chapter was recognized as the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council’s 2026 Soy Innovation Challenge winner.
As the state winner, Republic FFA will receive a $10,000 grant to implement in its school and community.
The Soy Innovation Challenge aims to engage FFA members in creating valuable ideas and business models based on the soy value chain to display at Missouri Soybeans’ Center for Soy Innovation in Jefferson City, Missouri, and across the state.
This is a two-part contest in which chapters design and develop an exhibit for the center and submit proposals for MSMC to consider.
The top chapters travel to the state’s capital to present to a panel of judges made up of industry professionals.
The chapters awarded on stage included Republic, Nixa and Savannah, placed according to their listing.
The top three chapters were presented with $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500, respectively, for their innovative submissions and presentations.
“With education as a core tenant of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council’s mission, it was easy to develop a program that encourages young agriculturalists to think innovatively and pursue the soybean industry,” said Mark Lehenbauer, MSMC chairman. “MSMC finds it imperative to pour into local FFA chapters and students interested in agriculture to not only help us grow engagement at the Center for Soy Innovation but create future leaders for our organization.”
To receive the state title, Republic FFA designed “Get Soy Fit: Powered by Protein,” an interactive protein gym experience that highlights the strength and versatility of Missouri soybeans.
The concept features five workout-style learning stations where visitors connect physical activity with soybean education, including the soybean lifecycle, harvest process, the weight of a bushel of soybeans and the role of soy protein in human and livestock nutrition.
“Career readiness is a fundamental piece of the agricultural-education curriculum and Missouri FFA Association mission,” said Teresa Briscoe, Missouri FFA executive secretary. “This contest offering from the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council is a unique opportunity for students to enhance useful skills in the classroom and future workforce while educating students on a pivotal part of Missouri’s agricultural landscape. Missouri FFA encourages more chapters to apply year after year to reap the benefits of the valuable contest.”
The Republic FFA Chapter’s proposal will be implemented at the Center for Soy Innovation and incorporated into educational programming for visiting students and community groups in the coming year.
