Letter to the editor

Dear Editor,

Last year I had the pleasure of visiting the UVM campus and facilitating two Vermont Soy sampling events.

During my visit, I was approached by a UVM student who works for The Cynic.

The student asked great questions and the article that come out was entitled "Company Commends, Students Condemn." 

I was slightly surprised while reading the article.

Mention was made of students condemning soy but no mention was made of the countless amounts of students who gave me such positive feedback.

One of the students interviewed for the article asserted that soybeans are grown in massive fields and covered in chemical pesticides.

This is absolutely true for most soybeans. 

However, the farmers we work with all grow certified organic soybeans, so the massive inundations of chemicals described is non-existent. 

These farmers are growers dedicated to sustainability and supporting their local food system and don't grow large mono-crop fields. 

Another student interviewed for the article mentioned that Brazilian rainforest is being torn down to make room for soybeans. 

This is also true — and tragic — but we only work with growers from the United States and Canada.  This student then stated that soy is "not the future of food." 

I'm not here to assert that soy is the future of food.

What I really want to point out is that writing soy off as a chemical-laden soil destroyer isn't going to change the way it's grown, but creating more of a demand for locally grown, organic soybeans can. 

UVM's commitment to sustainability is clear, and Vermont Soy is appreciative of the support UVM has shown us. 

Sincerely,

Beth Mullen

Sales and Marketing

Vermont Soy, LLC