Bringing the Farm to the Classroom: Inside Kansas' Soybean Family & Consumer Sciences Program

Aug 12

3 min read

The content from this blog comes from an interview with Jancey Hall from Kansas Soybean Commission.

As agriculture becomes increasingly essential in both local economies and global sustainability efforts, it’s more important than ever to connect students with the food systems that feed them. One Kansas-based initiative is doing just that — and doing it with soybeans.

The Soybean Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) Program is quietly making a big impact in middle and high school classrooms across the state. Designed to bring soy foods and soy-fed proteins into the curriculum, this program is helping students learn where their food comes from — and how it connects to the fields in their own communities.

What Is the Soybean FCS Program?

The program provides financial support to FCS teachers so they can purchase soy-based ingredients like edamame, tofu, vegetable oil, or even soy-fed meats like beef, chicken, and pork for cooking labs, taste tests, and other classroom activities.

It's not just about soy as a product — it’s about understanding its role in everyday foods and its value as a Kansas-grown crop. The goal? To give students hands-on experiences that connect them to the agricultural systems all around them.

“It’s not just the building or the funding — it’s what we do inside the classroom: educating our youth to have a passion,” one program coordinator shared. “If students learn that soy is a great protein source and a sustainable kitchen staple in high school, they’re more likely to continue using it throughout their lives.”

Why Soy?

Soybeans are used in more products than most people realize — from the vegetable oil in our kitchens to the lecithin in our chocolate. Beyond food, soy also finds its way into tires, shoes, and even soy foam that can help fight fires.

While Kansas is best known for its wheat and corn, soybeans are a vital part of the state’s agricultural economy — especially in the eastern third, where most of the crop is grown. Still, there are soybean farms in western Kansas, and the program's coordinators hope to expand their reach in that region.

“One of the biggest gaps we see is in Western Kansas classrooms. Most of our participating schools are in the Kansas City and Wichita areas. But soy is grown statewide, and we want more rural students to connect with it, too.”

Learning Through Food

Teachers use the funds creatively — from taste tests comparing soy, dairy, and almond milk, to pantry challenges that help students identify how many everyday items contain soy. Others cook full meals using soy-fed pork or beef, or teach students to substitute oils in recipes to understand how different fats affect flavor and texture.

These activities teach more than just cooking. They open the door to conversations about:

Food allergies and dietary needs
Sustainability and food sourcing
Agricultural literacy and local farming

And the best part? The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Every year, we hear from teachers who say, ‘Wow, I didn’t know agriculture touched all of this.’ That’s the whole point — making those connections.”

Funding the Future of Ag Education

The program is open to all Kansas FCS classrooms and offers $3 per student per semester, up to $600 per teacher. For smaller schools, there's even a $75 minimum reimbursement, making sure rural or lower-enrollment districts aren’t left out.

“Whether you have 100 students or 17, this program is built to support your classroom.”

Sowing Seeds of Awareness

In an age where many students are generations removed from the farm, the Soybean FCS Program helps plant the seeds of awareness, sustainability, and connection.

By helping students understand what soy is — and how it shows up in both their meals and their communities — Kansas is ensuring the next generation values the roots of their food system.

💡 Want to bring the Soybean FCS Program to your school or learn more? Visit KansasSoybeans.org or reach out to the Kansas Soybean Commission for application details and classroom resources.