The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board used a stop at Fitchburg Fire Station No. 1 to show how soybean checkoff investments are helping move a Wisconsin-grown innovation from testing to real-world use.
During the event, WSMB highlighted its support of SoyFoamTM TF1122, a PFAS-free firefighting foam made with soy and other agricultural products. The board has invested soy checkoff dollars in certification testing for the product at Chippewa Valley Technical College and has also helped promote awareness of the foam and its potential benefits for firefighters and communities.
“SoyFoam is an innovative product made from soybeans,” WSMB President Jonathan Gibbs said. “Our board invested soy checkoff money into the certification testing of soyFoam because we believe in this product and the benefits it provides to our firefighters and to our communities.”
Fitchburg received the donation through a statewide promotion aimed at professional fire departments. WSMB mailed promotional packages across Wisconsin to build awareness around SoyFoam as a soy checkoff-supported innovation. Fitchburg Fire Department received the “golden ticket,” which came with a pallet of SoyFoam.
Effect On Soybean Industry
The event gave WSMB an opportunity to emphasize the practical side of soybean checkoff investments. Beyond traditional markets, soybean farmers continue to support research, testing and commercialization efforts that create new uses for soybeans in everyday products. Gibbs said SoyFoam is one example of a product that connects farmer investment with public safety and environmental stewardship.
Fitchburg Fire Chief Scott Sarver said the department was excited to receive the SoyFoam and has it loaded and ready to go.
“This innovative product is going to address a critical need in the fire service and hazardous materiel response arena,” Chief Sarver said. “For years, we’ve been looking for a foam that can do what this product is going to do for us.”
Wisconsin Soybean Association President Doug Rebout said products like SoyFoam are examples of how WSA works with organizations like WSMB.
“They can’t work on policy. We can,” Rebout said. “While they invested in this product with soybean checkoff money, WSA leaders recognized we needed the help of our legislators to get this product to our fire departments through an already existing program in the state. These are the ways we can help our farms and our local communities.”
State Sen. Melissa Ratcliff, who represents the 16th Senate District, also attended the event alongside members of the media.
For Wisconsin soybean farmers, the Fitchburg event served as another reminder that soybeans are delivering value far beyond the farm gate — including in products designed to help protect firefighters, communities and the environment.
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