MADISON – Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is celebrating CHS Inc.’s announcement to move forward with construction of a new soybean processing facility near Evansville. The announcement marks a major investment to create new market opportunities for Wisconsin farmers and strengthen the state’s agricultural economy.

This week, CHS announced plans to build a $700 million facility capable of processing approximately 80 million bushels of U.S.-grown soybeans annually. The facility is expected to produce approximately 2 million tons of soybean meal and 1 billion pounds of soybean oil annually. The soybean meal will provide a critical feed ingredient for Wisconsin livestock and dairy farms, while soybean oil will support growing food, feed and renewable fuel markets.

“This is a tremendous investment in Wisconsin agriculture and, most importantly, in the farmers driving our economy,” said Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President Brad Olson. “For years, Wisconsin soybean growers have watched their crop leave the state to be processed elsewhere, even as products like soybean meal and oil are needed here at home. Bringing processing capacity closer to Wisconsin farms creates new demand, strengthens local markets and keeps more of the value generated by our farmers here in Wisconsin.”

Wisconsin Farm Bureau, alongside agricultural and economic development partners, strongly supported 2023 Senate Bill 787, which addressed a statutory barrier facing Evansville as it worked to establish the tax incremental financing (TIF) district for the facility. The bipartisan legislation was signed into law as 2023 Wisconsin Act 135, creating a targeted exception to Wisconsin’s municipal TIF limits for Evansville and helping clear the way for this project to move forward.

“This is about more than one facility; it is about building the infrastructure and markets Wisconsin farmers need to remain competitive for the next generation,” said WFBF Executive Director of Government Relations Jason Mugnaini. “Wisconsin Farm Bureau was proud to work alongside CHS and our agricultural and economic development partners to help advance Act 135. We appreciate CHS and everyone at the local and state level who helped turn the opportunity into a major investment in Wisconsin agriculture.”

Construction of the facility is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with completion targeted for fall 2028.