Information from an Illinois Soybean Association press release.

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is donating more than 800 children’s books to more than 70 Chicago-area libraries. This week ISA collaborated with Chicago Public Library, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Illinois legislators to present books at Better Boys Foundation.

“Literacy is critical to creating an economically vibrant Chicago, and by donating these books to Chicago Public Library, the ISA has shown its commitment to supporting the education of Chicago's children," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel in an ISA news release.

Each library received three copies of “Auntie Yang’s Great Soybean Picnic” and 10 copies of “Soybeans: An A-Z Book.” According to the Educational Testing Service, more types of reading materials in the home correlate with higher student reading proficiency. ISA is proud to contribute to the variety and number of books available to Chicago-area children and to help educate them about food and farming.

“Illinois agriculture provides our children with many occupational opportunities,” said Duane Dahlman, a Marengo, Ill., farmer and ISA director, in the news release. “We are working to make agriculture more visible among children and viable as a career choice.”

Agriculture is Illinois’ No. 1 industry in terms of economic impact and, according to the USDA.  Illinois soybeans contribute about $5.9 billion to the state’s economy annually. Directly and indirectly, the Illinois agriculture industry creates about 1.5 million jobs, according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture.