The Soy House

Explore the 101+ Uses of Soy Firsthand at the 2009 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

TORONTO , Nov. 6 /CNW/ - What do household insulation, mattress foam and kitchen cabinets all have in common? Ontario's soybean farmers invite you to visit The Soy House exhibit, a feature presentation of this year's Royal Agricultural Winter Fair , to find out. This first of its kind exhibit offers an opportunity for visitors to explore a 1200 square foot home and experience how soy can be used as an environmentally-friendly, sustainable replacement to petroleum oil in many household products.

Ontario's soybean farmers have partnered with Quality Engineered Homes Ltd., an energy-star rated modular home developer, and Habitat for Humanity Halton to create this unique exhibit featuring soy-based structural and design components where possible. Everything from No-VOC paints and varnishes, adhesives, household insulation, kitchen cabinets, carpet backing, bathroom fixtures, sofas, mattresses, bedding, clothing, food, candles, soaps, and cosmetics, feature soy. "The use of soy as a renewable alternative to petrochemicals enables the development of a wide array of greener, eco-friendly products," said Dale Petrie , Director of Strategic Development and Innovation, Grain Farmers of Ontario.

Soybeans are uniquely able to be separated into two distinct and equally useful parts. When crushed, 80 per cent of the bean becomes high protein soy meal, which is used for human and animal consumption, while the remaining 20 per cent becomes soy oil, which can be used as bio-fuels and as a sustainable replacement to petroleum oil in a myriad of applications. "One hundred per cent of the soybean is used every time, making the commercial use of soybeans an innovative, Made-In-Ontario solution. From the farm right through the value chain, soybeans support Ontario's emerging bio-economy," continues Petrie.

After the Royal Winter Fair , the Soy House will become a Habitat for Humanity Halton home in Acton. A team of dedicated volunteers Ontario soybean farmers and Quality Homes staff will work alongside the Habitat partner family to complete the home. The family will need to contribute 500 hours of sweat equity to the home or other Habitat activities before they take possession of the home. In this unique situation, with the house arriving built, the home will be leased to the Halton Multicultural Centre for use as short-term emergency shelter, until the Habitat family has completed their commitment and is ready to move in.

"Ontario soybean farmers' unique partnership with Habitat for Humanity Halton and Quality Homes has helped provide another family in the Halton region with a safe, decent, affordable place to live," says Lynn Fergusson , Acting Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Halton. "This unique partnership is proof of what can be done when passion, dedication and resources are pooled together, to truly make a difference in the community."

"Quality Homes is proud to have partnered with Ontario's soybean farmers to bring The Soy House to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair , and eventually to a family in the Halton Region," says Howard Sher , Executive Vice-President, Quality Homes. "As custom home builders, we are always looking for new and innovative products and suppliers. The project has certainly introduced us to a range of environmentally-friendly, soy-based companies."

The Soy House is the feature presentation of the 2009 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (RAWF). The fair runs November 5 to 16, at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, and typically attracts more than 326,000 urban and rural visitors. The Soy House has been made possible by incredible partnerships with leading-edge Canadian companies with soy and other environmentally-friendly products: Foamite, Polar Spray, CallRich Eco-Services, From the Meadow, Watermatrix, Sherwin Williams, ISO, Brentwood Classics, Revolve Clothing, Bamco and Euro-Shield Roofing.

    
    About The Grain Farmers of Ontario
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Grain Farmers of Ontario represents Ontario's 28,000 farmers who grow corn, soybeans and wheat. GFO is the trusted and definitive resource on all issues related to growing these crops in Ontario. The organization is designed to provide vital resources to help Ontario's corn, soybean and wheat farmers make daily business decisions, while highlighting the dynamic ways corn, soybeans and wheat are utilized both here at home and around the world!

For more information, visit: www.gfo.ca

    
    About Quality Homes
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With over two decades of custom home building experience, Quality Homes has built more than 3,000 homes across Ontario. A Quality home is "Precision Built" indoors and comes with a guaranteed price, quality and completion date. Building indoors also eliminates the effects of building in harsh weather conditions. Dedicated to customer satisfaction, Quality Homes has won many design, innovation and customer service awards.

For more information, visit: www.qualityhomes.ca

    
    About Habitat for Humanity Halton
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Habitat for Humanity Halton is a community-based, non-profit organization working for a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Founded in 1999, it is a member of Habitat for Humanity Canada , and part of a worldwide network that spans 100 countries. With 10 homes completed and 3 more currently underway, Habitat Halton provides low income families with a hand up to home ownership to break the cycle of poverty .

For more information, visit: www.habitathalton.ca

For further information: Alexandra Pecoskie, Optimum Public Relations, T: [phone], [email protected]; Mary Wiley, Grain Farmers of Ontario, T: [phone], [email protected]