“These products have come about because of innovations in the soy biodiesel industry.” “Soy works great for cleaning products, lubricants and more,” said Craig Lang, former Iowa Farm Bureau Federation president and a farmer from Brooklyn, Iowa. The graffiti remover started dissolving the paint in minutes.Ĭleaning Up with Soy Power: Iowa Company Redefines Eco-Friendly Cleaning SolutionsĮnvironmentally-friendly cleaning products often make big promises, but the results don’t always live up the hype-unless soybeans are involved. Here’s the story below.)Īmazing what a non-toxic soy-based cleaner and a little elbow grease can do.
![sioux falls graffiti icleanup sioux falls graffiti icleanup](https://cdn.websites.hibu.com/da8efca7183c4f5d83ff2e278d766d9b/dms3rep/multi/cinema_2.jpg)
But wait–there’s more! I also wrote a different version of the story for Farm News‘ annual soybean section in the fall of 2017. I was happy to oblige, and the piece you just read here appeared in the November 2017 issue.
![sioux falls graffiti icleanup sioux falls graffiti icleanup](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2020/06/01/PSIF/532d1479-732e-4dd3-a428-1aa009ebe49b-teens_help_cleanup_after_protest3.jpg)
Ann Clinton, editor of the Iowa Soybean Review magazine, asked me to write the story for the Iowa Soybean Association‘s magazine. (I first shared this story on my Facebook page in an abbreviated form. It’s exciting to see soy-based technology not only protecting history at Rainbow Bridge, but creating new solutions that will benefit our families and communities for generations to come. Many of these products have evolved from innovations in the soy biodiesel industry. He added that soybean oil and soy methyl esters can be processed into a variety of useful products, from household cleaners to industrial applications. “Our products utilize the powerful, natural properties of soy,” said Joe Barber, president and CEO of Natural Soy Products, who responded to my inquiry. In less than 15 minutes, I cleaned the entire marker and stone.Īlways curious, I wanted to learn more. I tried scrubbing off the paint after several minutes and was delighted to see promising results. While the Graffiti Remover label recommended waiting at least 10 minutes after spraying the cleaner, impatience got the best of me. We headed out to Rainbow Bridge late that afternoon to get to work. When my bottles of Graffiti Remover arrived, I rounded up a vegetable scrub brush, some rags, fresh water and my dog. I didn’t want to inflict more damage, though, in my attempt to clean up the mess. Still, I kept thinking this latest act of vandalism had gone too far. Hundreds of bridges with this distinctive “rainbow” profile were constructed in the 1910s and 1920s, mainly in the Midwest, though few remain.ĭespite its storied history, the local Rainbow Bridge has long been a target for graffiti. Iconic Rainbow Bridge has spanned the Raccoon River for more than a century southwest of Lake City and is an outstanding example of Iowa engineer James B. Rainbow Bridge spans generations of history Look at this mess defacing this bronze marker that denotes the history of Rainbow Bridge. When I found out the company is based in Brooklyn, Iowa, I was sold and ordered two bottles of Graffiti Remover. Not only did the product promise to remove paint, but this eco-friendly solution is made from American-grown soybeans. My search led me to Natural Soy Products’ graffiti remover. I’m no graffiti removal expert and didn’t know what to do next, so I turned to Google. While outraged Facebook friends posted hundreds of comments lamenting the vandalism, few solutions emerged. I snapped a photo of the crude star scrawled across the marker in mid-August and posted it on social media to express my disgust. Blue spray paint defaced the bronze historical marker attached to a large stone south of Lake City near Rainbow Bridge, a favorite destination where I take my dad, mom and trusty red heeler, Maggie, for Sunday drives. Posted By: Darcy Maulsby, 30 Nov 3:00 pm Category: Agriculture, Uncategorized