District 518 receives donation for soybean-based softball turf

District 518 Schools announces a donation of $25,000 from the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council supporting the installation of a soybean-based artificial turf on the district’s new softball field.

A District 518 press release states the project and contribution promote usability while enhancing athletic facilities for student-athletes and ensuring local farmers play an active role in producing the very materials that bring the field to life. The donation will be used to install artificial turf from AstroTurf, utilizing soybean-derived materials, while offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based components. This upgrade will provide a more durable and weather-resistant playing surface for student-athletes, while also showcasing the benefits of agricultural innovation.

“We are incredibly grateful for this support from Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council,” said Joel Heitkamp, Superintendent of Worthington District 518 Schools. “This project not only improves our athletic facilities but also connects our students to the importance of sustainability and innovation in agriculture which is essential to our community. This furthers the understanding about the use of soybeans that our own student’s plant, grow, and harvest each year on the District’s Ag Lab farm ground and that agriculture touches our daily lives in many ways.”

This donation was presented to Worthington District 518 Schools at the 2026 Nobles County Corn and Soybean Growers Banquet and addresses the need for durable, high-quality athletic facilities while promoting renewable, bio-based materials in public projects.