NSRL : News & Events

URBANA, Ill. - Participants in the 2009 National FFA Convention had the opportunity to produce biodiesel using the new Biodiesel Basics: Curriculum and Production Kit developed by the National Soybean Research Laboratory (NSRL) at the University of Illinois. Students and teachers followed production steps, which included heating up raw soybean oil, mixing a catalyst with methanol, and then combining it with the oil.

Biodiesel Basics: Curriculum and Production Kit can be purchased for use by high school classrooms. The curriculum, encourages evaluation of the economic and environmental benefits of using bioenergy. It includes four lesson plans that introduce students to energy, the need for alternative energy sources, the soybean, and in-depth information about biodiesel.

The curriculum is used in conjunction with a production kit that lets students produce fuel from raw soybean oil in the classroom or laboratory. The kit comes complete with everything needed to make 200ml of biodiesel. Very specific instructions and safety guidelines are also provided.

"This curriculum is a great way to introduce applied science into the classroom," said Danny Erickson, training coordinator at the NSRL. "It will increase student awareness and understanding of bioenergy."

"Teachers will have the opportunity to expand and enhance their curriculum with new material and it could be treated as a multidisciplinary subject," said Erickson. "Chemistry teachers can benefit from using this curriculum, as well as agricultural and business teachers."

According to the National Biodiesel Board, biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources such as plant oils, animal fats, used cooking oil and even new sources such as algae. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.

"By educating young people about bioenergy and the positive impact it can have on our environment we are furthering the research, education and outreach efforts at the University of Illinois," said Bridget Owen, Associate Director of the National Soybean Research Laboratory. "Future generations will need a good understanding of alternative fuels, like biodiesel, to solve the complex energy needs of a global economy."

Biodiesel Basics: Curriculum and Production Kit is available for sale through ITCS Educational Publishing at the University of Illinois. It can be purchased by school districts, teachers, individuals, or groups through the PubsPlus online store at https://pubsplus.illinois.edu. Lab kit replenishment materials will also be offered, so teachers can continue to use the curriculum and kit for many years to come.

NSRL leads the way in developing innovative processing and marketing techniques involving soy. NSRL educates society on the advantages of a soy enriched diet along with promoting the health benefits of eating soy. NSRL engages in soybean production research that benefits producers. NSRL also explores the genetics of soybeans, responds to marketplace challenges, assists in expanding the scope and size of the soybean industry and the profitability of U.S. soybean farmers.

Dr. Barbara Klein, University of Illinois and the National Soybean Research Laboratory, will be a featured presenter during a free Webinar sponsored by SOYJOY. There is so much confusion regarding the dietary promise and health benefits of soy. Join the experts and examine soy science, soy's nutritional properties, its safety and its sensory application, by participating in this free webinar.

This webinar will happen Tuesday June 30, 11 a.m. PST, 1 p.m. CT, 2 p.m. EST. You can register to attend at: http://soywebinar.webex.com

Nicholas Scates Joins NSRL

Urbana, IL - Nicholas Scates has joined the National Soybean Research Laboratory (NSRL) as Project Coordinator. He will assist in international country programs and humanitarian aid projects involving soy. Scates is based at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign campus.

Scates graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and Consumer Economics. He previously completed two internships with NSRL where he analyzed soybean yield, oil and protein data. In 2007, he was recognized as the NSRL Student employee of the year. His familiarity of agriculture comes with his experiences in assisting with his family´s farm operation that spans four generations in Shawneetown, Illinois.

As Project Coordinator with NSRL, Scates recently traveled to Botswana, South Africa and Kenya to meet with prospective collaborators and partners about school feeding and micro enterprise programs. He spoke with government representatives, private industry personnel and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) about ways to successfully incorporate soy in the diets of people living in remote villages that have no running water or electricity. NSRL is setting up feeding trials and finding solutions to the very complex malnutrition and infrastructure challenges of these areas.

The National Soybean Research Laboratory is located on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. NSRL leads the way in exploring the genetics of soybeans, responding to marketplace challenges and assisting in expanding the scope, size and profitability of the U.S. soybean industry. By creating, providing and facilitating strategic research, education and outreach programs, NSRL aims to serve the needs of soybean producers, processors and consumers in the areas of soybean production, nutrition and international development.

Urbana, IL - Stacey Krawczyk, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., has joined the National Soybean Research Laboratory (NSRL) as Research Dietitian. She is based at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.

Most recently Stacey worked as a private nutrition education consultant. For the past 11 years Krawczyk has created and presented nutritional educational classes, provided expertise for diabetes education materials and taught healthy cooking classes for UIUC Campus Recreation. Krawczyk served as a regional nutritionist consultant with the Illinois Department of Human Services for the Illinois WIC Program and other Maternal and Child Health programs. She has authored a nutrition chapter of a general college-level health class book and has been an editorial reviewer.

At NSRL, Krawczyk will create programs that include soy in school lunch programs domestically and internationally. Her international work will also encompass complementary food projects that incorporate soy. She will collaborate with industry partners to develop wellness programs that feature soy menu items and work with Food Banks to help their clients use soy product donations. Krawczyk will also focus on target markets faced with the challenges of chronic diseases to find ways to use the many benefits of soy to improve their health.

Krawczyk received her MS from University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn. in Public Health. The National Soybean Research Laboratory is located on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. NSRL leads the way in exploring the genetics of soybeans, responding to marketplace challenges and assisting in expanding the scope, size and profitability of the U.S. soybean industry. By developing and implementing strategic research, education and outreach programs, NSRL aims to serve the needs of soybean producers, processors and consumers in the areas of soy production, nutrition and international development.

URBANA -- More than 100 government officials, private industry representatives and other entities gathered at the Karibe Convention Center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, for a seminar on Processing and Utilization of Soybeans for Meat and Dairy Applications. The seminar, conducted by the National Soybean Research Laboratory (NSRL) and funded with Illinois soybean checkoff dollars, teaches attendees how to incorporate soy protein into local diets, part of international marketing efforts facilitated through the lab.

Participants learned about exciting possibilities in producing soy-enhanced hot dogs, sausages, cookies, soymilk and biscuits, while exploring innovative applications that incorporate soy. Participants also received information about using soy protein products in baking applications.

Bridget Owen, associate director at NSRL and Dr. Karl Weingartner, director of INTSOY at the University of Illinois, led the soy seminar in Haiti. The seminar introduced processing and utilization techniques along with best practices that use soybeans as a meat extender and value-added ingredient. The soy will be integrated into local recipes and developed into new foods that provide an excellent source of protein.

“Since 2004, food prices in Haiti have increased nearly 20 percent, causing a rise in the number of Haitians who go hungry,” said Owen. “Haiti has the potential to produce 45 percent of its annual food needs, but severe weather, including hurricanes and floods, has devastated agriculture production in recent years.”

Owen, Weingartner and Jim Hershey, Executive Director of the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH), will also participate in meetings with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), The World Food Program (WFP) and U.S. Embassy Economic Officers to ascertain opportunities for soy to be used as an integral ingredient providing a complete, high quality protein source to Haitians.

WISHH creates sustainable solutions for the protein demands of people in developing countries through the introduction and use of U.S. soy products. WISHH has worked in 23 countries, including Haiti, to improve diets as well as encourage growth of food industries. NSRL assists as the Illinois arm and technical team for WISHH. For more information about WISHH, please visit www.wishh.org.

Illinois Soybean Association is the statewide organization for Illinois soybean growers. The farmers on its board administer soybean checkoff funds to support research, promotions and educational programs designed to increase demand for Illinois soybeans and administer legislation and membership programs. Contact ISA at 309-663-7692, or visit www.ilsoy.org.

Soy News - Hot Off the Press! The latest news from NSRL on soybeans

Soy News - Hot Off the Press!
The latest news from NSRL on soybeans