The American Soybean Association says soybeans can provide the food this country needs, while also producing an important fuel in the form of biodiesel. And that means more jobs.

Southeast Farm Press reports, in comments to the National Research Council’s Committee on Economic and Environmental Impacts of Increasing Biofuels Production, the ASA says biodiesel made from soybean oil can play a vital role in fulfilling the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) without any adverse impacts to the food or feed markets:

“ASA appreciates the opportunity to provide input to the National Research Council Committee on Economic and Environmental Impacts of Increasing Biofuels Production,” said ASA President Rob Joslin, a soybean farmer from Sidney, Ohio. “We hope the information and perspective provided by ASA will be of value to the committee and reflected in the results of their study.”

Soybean farmers have a great interest in the development and expansion of the U.S. biodiesel industry,” Joslin said. “Biodiesel has provided a significant market opportunity for U.S. soybean farmers, and jobs and economic stimulus for the U.S. economy, especially in rural communities.”

The article goes on to point out that the soybeans are made of 80 percent meal, and the oil can be squeezed out of the bean to make biodiesel, getting two products out of one soybean.

ASA believes U.S. soybean farmers will become more and more productive to meet the growing food and fuel demands.

You can read the ASA’s comments here.