BOONE, Iowa—Set up continues this weekend for the 2022 Farm Progress Show, but media had a chance to take a look at some of the features for this year’s show. The media event Wednesday also allowed for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the show’s Varied Industries Tent. Matt Jungmann, event director of the Farm Progress Show, said the tent covers an acre and features hundreds of vendors and displays. Earlier this year, Eric Cochran, a professor at ISU’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and director of the Center for Bioplastics and Biocomposites proposed an idea for paving some of the grounds and the Iowa Soybean Association stepped up to collaborate on the project. Robb Ewoldt, Iowa Soybean Association President and soybean farmer from Davenport said he hopes the project will set an example about opportunities that are possible because of the innovation used in the project.

According to a press release from the Iowa Soybean Association, the paving project is an extension of the research conducted by Iowa State University into the formulation of high-oleic soybean oil as a replacement for other expensive, highly volatile compounds commonly used in the creation of asphalt products. Using a Cold-in-Place technology, the project combines 100% recycled asphalt pavement mixed with a soy-based polymer. In total, the construction utilizes over 2,300 lbs. of soybean oil, or 215 bushels of soybeans. On average, each soybean bushel yields nearly 10.7 lbs. of oil.

Robb Ewoldt, ISA president and soybean farmer from Davenport cuts the ribbon for the Varied Industries Tent paving project.