Look for the 
big red barn!

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It’s always fascinating to watch the face of a child as they discover new things. Those expressions were everywhere I looked at the opening of a new soybean exhibit at the Lincoln Park Zoo’s Farm-In-the-Zoo section.

The 15-foot exhibit, called “Soybeans: Growing Food, Growing World,” opened June 9. It provides children of all ages with a hands-on learning opportunity about the planting, growing and harvesting cycles of U.S. soybean farming. This exhibit — the most extensive interactive soybean exhibit in the nation — was funded jointly by the soybean checkoff and the Illinois Soybean Association. It replaces an outdated exhibit.

I was there for the ribbon cutting ceremony along with fellow farmer-leaders from the soybean checkoff and ISA, as well as zoo officials including Kevin Bell, CEO of the Lincoln Park Zoological Society.

The goal of the exhibit is to educate urban-area children on U.S. agriculture in general and how soybeans fit into the overall U.S. ag picture, as well as educating them on soy’s many uses. Examples of soy foods, including soy cereal, soy milk and tofu are on display. In addition, other commercial uses for soy are also displayed.

Children get hands-on, fun education experiences through special effects and by turning cranks and pushing buttons that operate parts of the exhibit. The exhibit helps teach children what soybeans look like, where they come from, how they’re produced and what various countries use them for. One crank lets children watch how soybeans are harvested in a combine and later processed.

The Farm-in-the-Zoo area, which is maintained via John Deere funding, is easy to spot. Just look for the big red barn. Other areas of the exhibit feature live animals such as dairy cows, chickens, ponies, pigs and even goats. In fact, visitors can watch as the dairy cows are milked. The whole area brings the farm right into the big city.

So, if you’re venturing to Chicago sometime this summer, I recommend a visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo, and be sure to look for the big red barn.

Sharon Covert is the Illinois Director for the United Soybean Board