Hello and welcome to our April 2024 e-newsletter!

Spring is officially here, and we are looking forward to this year's growing season. Northarvest wants to thank all the farmers, processors, and others working so hard in agriculture to bring food to our tables. In addition, we wish you all a belated National Ag Week, which was March 17 - 23 this year.

This month, we are sharing Chef Lauren Zobac's recipe for White Bean Blondies.

April 2024 Newsletter Table of Contents:

• NBGA's New Website
• Bean Day Interviews
• Bean Poll
• NBGA Member Profile
• USDA Weekly Dry Bean Market Review
• NBGA Partners with a Chef
• Bean Institute: Beans and Sustainability
• Bean Nutrition Corner
• Northarvest in the News and on the Move
• Northarvest BeanGrower: Research Issue 2024
• Coalition for the Advancement of Pulses: Research Update
• US Dry Bean Council Updates
• The Dry Bean Scene

NBGA's New Website

Have you been to our newly updated website yet? As online presence becomes even more important in today's world, we know how critical it is to showcase the story of the Northarvest region - and the work our 2,400+ growers do for the dry bean industry - through an updated online "home base." Most importantly for users, the new website is mobile device-friendly and features the recent rebranding for a more consistent - and modern - look.

Those who visit will find easy-to-navigate areas pointing to NBGA's mission, areas of focus for the organization, information on Board & Council members, access to nearly 20 years of BeanGrower Magazines, archived audio of Dry Bean Scene episodes, as well as spots to learn more about what NBGA does, find organization contact information, a bean dealer list, and more.

Visit the NBGA website at www.northarvestbean.org to see more!

Bean Poll

Last month was National Nutrition Month. That is why in the March newsletter poll, we asked you which of 4 options you thought is the most important aspect of bean nutrition. Of newsletter subscribers who voted, no cholesterol was ranked number one, followed closely by protein. Vitamins and minerals received the lowest percentage of votes. You can see a percentage breakdown in the pie chart below.

Please vote in this month's poll below. We will reveal the percentages each response received in next month's newsletter.

Vote in the April Bean Poll

Karl and his family's farming operation was featured on AgweekTV in October of last year, you can watch that by clicking the image below.

Karl was also spotlighted by Agweek earlier this year, you can read about it here:

• Edible beans are a family tradition for the Jodock family

Below, you can find links to the most recent USDA Weekly Dry Bean Market Reviews. Click on the date to see the report.

• The next report will be released soon. You will be able to find that report here.

• April 2, 2024: "Compared to last week: Trade remained light with mostly steady bid prices. According to the Prospective Plantings Report March 28, 2024, Dry Edible Bean area planted is 1,316,000 acres and the Chickpea area planted is 429,000 acres and the Lentil area planted is 762,000 acres and the Dry Edible Pea area planted is 974,000 acres."

• March 26, 2024: "Compared to last week: Trade remained light with mostly steady bid prices."

• March 19, 2024: "Compared to last week: Trade remained light with mostly steady bid prices. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics March 12, 2024, in February the all items index rose 3.2 percent for the 12 months ending February, a larger increase than the 3.1-percent increase for the 12 months ending January. The all items less food and energy index rose 3.8 percent over the last 12 months. The energy index decreased 1.9 percent for the 12 months ending February, while the food index increased 2.2 percent over the last year. The 2023 Market News Summary can be found at: www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/lsaba.pdf"

• March 12, 2024: "Compared to last week: Trade remained light with mostly steady bid prices. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics March 12, 2024, in February, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 0.4 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.2 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.4 percent in February (SA); up 3.8 percent over the year (NSA)."

This month, NBGA is excited to release the next recipe video - White Bean Blondies! This recipe showcases the versatility of beans by demonstrating how beans can also be used in desserts. Using beans in sweet treats is a great way to enjoy healthier desserts, and a great way to sneak extra protein into your diet.

The second recipe video - White Bean Blondies - is scheduled to premiere on Thursday, April 11th at 7 pm central time. It will be available on our YouTube channel page, linked by clicking the photo below. NBGA appreciates the efforts of all involved and we hope you enjoy it! (If you make them at home, send us some pictures and let us know how you like them!)

You can find the recipe ingredients and baking instructions below. Please share these recipes on your networks to help inspire people to add more beans to their regular diets. NBGA and the Bean Institute will be promoting these videos to a wide audience of consumers, registered dietitians, and others.

White Bean Blondie Brownies Recipe

Please note: A food processor is required.

Ingredients:

• 1 - 15oz can of white beans, rinsed & drained
• ½ teaspoon powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoon vanilla paste
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup almond flour
• ½ cup butterscotch chips
• ¼ cup toasted almonds, chopped
• Confectioners’ sugar to dust bownies (post bake)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F)
2. Line 8x8 a baking dish with parchment paper to allow for easier brownie removal after baking.
3. Open canned beans, rinse.
4. Transfer beans to food processor, blending until smooth, scraping sides as needed to ensure no chunks remain.
5. Add sugar, almond extract, and vanilla paste
6. Blend until smooth.
7. Add eggs, and process until smooth.
8. Pour batter into a large mixing bowl.
9. Fold in flour, butterscotch chips, and chopped almonds until fully incorporated.
10. Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake for 15-20 minutes until cake tester/toothpick comes out clean.
11. Dust brownies with confectioners’ sugar.
12. Allow to fully cool before cutting.
13. Serve & Enjoy!

Q&A with Chef Lauren Zobac

We asked Chef Lauren to tell us a bit more about her experiences with beans. In the previous two newsletters, we shared some of her responses. Below, you can find her answers to the final two questions.

April 22 is Earth Day. That is why in this month's newsletter, we are highlighting some of the Bean Institute's posts about beans and sustainability. Let's dive into two of their posts.

In their article about 7 simple habits to build a sustainable, balanced diet, they explain that eating beans can benefit both our own health and that of the planet. They state: "You might already know that beans are a nutrition powerhouse, rich in protein, fiber and high in antioxidants. What you may not know is that they also have a very positive environmental story to tell. Bean plants promote soil health... Even after the beans are harvested, some of the nitrogen in the bean’s roots stays in the soil. This means the farmer may be able to use less fertilizer on that field the next year. For your personal health and the health of the planet, we should all eat more beans!"

Another of their recommendations for building a healthy, sustainable diet is to avoid food waste. One way to do this is to use your freezer. If you don't think you will be able to eat food before it goes bad, freeze it. This begs the question: What about freezing beans?

Freezing cooked beans can be a great way to prevent food waste and ensure you have beans on hand for later. Read the post about how to freeze beans on the Bean Institute website, or by clicking the screenshot below.

Beans are associated with a wide variety of health benefits, including the prevention of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. In our January 2024 newsletter, we shared about a science article that demonstrates how regularly eating beans may help lower cholesterol. This month, we are looking to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) to see what their Cancer Prevention Recommendations have to say about bean consumption.

The Cancer Prevention Recommendations are based upon a robust review of the scientific evidence. One of the top recommendations, as you can see below, is to eat a better diet. The WCRF specifically calls out eating more beans as part of this healthy diet: "Make whole grains, veg, fruit and beans a major part of your usual diet."

The WCRF provides further details on their recommendation to eat a better diet, as shown in the screenshot below. Along with a statement that beans should be a major part of our daily diets, they also list several dietary goals. One of these is: "Consume a diet that provides at least 30 grams per day of fiber from food."

You may recall from our November 2023 newsletter that beans are one of the best natural sources of dietary fiber. In one half-cup serving of cooked beans, there are approximately 7 grams of fiber and only about 100 calories. This means that 1 cup of cooked beans already gets you about halfway to the recommendation of 30 grams of dietary fiber!

Moral of the story? Beans are associated with numerous health benefits, including cancer prevention. Enjoying beans as part of our regular diets can help support our well-being.

NBGA members and staff have been busy representing the bean industry, both locally and internationally. Read on for details.

Mitch Coulter, NBGA Executive Director, was interviewed by Red River Farm Network about expected acreage in 2024. The RRFN article explains that Mitch, "expects dry bean acreage this season to be in line with the latest USDA planting intentions report. Compared to corn, soybeans and wheat, dry edible bean prices have held together. 'Of course, they’re not as easy to grow but some of the things that we look at,' said Coulter. 'But, there is a (market) opportunity for us there.' Minor dry bean categories, such as small red beans, pinks and cranberries, are projected to experience a downturn in acres. 'We saw them move more towards navy, pintos, and kidneys.'"

Dexter Cronquist (NBGA Director, District 2 - from Gilby, ND - Vice Chair, Education & Sponsorship Committee) attended the USDBC Caribbean Trade Mission to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. The mission resulted in strengthening relationships and building new ones, several trade leads, and a better understanding of these markets.

Rudy Dotzenrod (vest); Jon Hansen (green shirt)

NBGA would like to thank Rudy and Jon for representing NBGA and sharing with younger generations why our growers are passionate about beans and the importance of agriculture.

Northarvest BeanGrower: Research Issue 2024

The most recent edition of the Northarvest BeanGrower is now available for online viewing. Below, you can see the cover and the table of contents. Many topics are addressed, including the impacts of ground rolling on weed control, how bacterial inoculation may reduce fertilizer rates, and much more.

Thank you to our partners at AgWeek for helping create this resource, and to all the researchers, growers, and others who made this research possible. This publication will not be mailed out, so please be sure to download the PDF to read these helpful articles that delve into bean-focused research occurring in our region.

Coalition for the Advancement of Pulses: Research Update

The Coalition for the Advancement of Pulses (CAP) is led by the American Pulse Association, with support from NBGA, the US Dry Bean Council, and others. CAP is committed to increasing the consumption of beans and other pulses in the United States. One of the key pillars is to increase research on the nutritional and health benefits of pulses. This will help build the evidence base for increasing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendation of weekly pulse intake from the current 1 and 1/2 cups per week to 3 cups per week.

A study funded by CAP and cannedbeans.org was recently published in a peer-reviewed science journal called Nutrition Journal. The researchers found that eating beans (they focused on kidney, pinto, and black beans) and chickpeas - canned and/or dry - is associated with improvements in dietary quality and also improved weight-related outcomes, such as lower body mass index (BMI).

In a recent press release, Rebecca Bratter, USDBC Executive Director, was quoted saying the following about the study results, “The research shows that canned or dry, beans and/or chickpeas pack a nutrient punch. They help close nutrient gaps and are high in fiber, protein, and several important macronutrients.”

Three key takeaways from the study are:

1. Beans and chickpeas - canned and dry cooked in the home - are nutritional powerhouses.
2. Beans and chickpeas help close nutrient gaps. For instance, those who eat beans and chickpeas have higher intakes of dietary fiber, potassium, and calcium.
3. Beans and chickpeas help improve weight-related outcomes.

In next month's Nutrition Corner, we will delve more into the results of the study, titled Adult dietary patterns with increased bean consumption are associated with greater overall shortfall nutrient intakes, lower added sugar, improved weight-related outcomes and better diet quality.

This month, we are sharing some highlights from the BeanCon24 Final Report, as well as a few products and trends in bean innovation seen at Natural Products Expo West.

Other recent USDBC happenings include attending other trade shows and missions. For instance, USDBC representatives attended Alimentaria, a trade show in Barcelona, Spain. The March 2024 USDBC trade mission to the Caribbean was mentioned in the previous section, NBGA in the News and on the Move.

USDBC Executive Director Rebecca Bratter recently shared an announcement about the status of the proposed glyphosate ban in Mexico. In a brief report written by Raul Caballero, Mexico Market Representative, the following details are provided:

The ban on glyphosate has been reversed by the Mexican government.

López Obrador's government finally backed down from banning glyphosate. It did so, however, with only six days to go before the ban went into effect, creating costly

uncertainty in the herbicide market. Prices had already skyrocketed. Rural producer

organizations, as well as manufacturers of agricultural chemicals, warned that the ban would profoundly aggravate the production crisis that is already being experienced in the countryside as a result of drought and bad public policies.

Rural producers and agrochemical industry associations have applauded the decision. The National Agricultural Council, headed by Juan Cortina, issued a statement on March 26 in which it "expresses its support for the decision of the Government of Mexico to maintain the use of glyphosate in Mexican agriculture until viable alternatives are found that do not compromise the country's agri-food security."

Natural Products Expo West



In mid-March 2024, Natural Products Expo West took place in Anaheim. This is the leading trade show in the natural, organic, and healthy products industry. Beans were present in a wide variety of products, such as snacks, frozen foods, and shelf-stable foods. Below, you can see some of the innovative bean products found at the expo.

Navy beans are used in these White Cheddar Jalapeño Crunchy Puffs.

Dehydrated pinto and black beans are in this Homestyle Chili.

These "bacon" bits are actually made with pinto beans.

Pop Mmms use red bean flour and taste like Goldfish crackers.

Beanitos offers both black bean and white bean chips, in multiple flavors.

Several of the Veggies Made Great frozen products contain beans, like their Huevos Rancheros Frittata with black beans.

USDBC BeanCon24 Final Report



BeanCon24 was a success, and USDBC greatly appreciates NBGA's support of the event. You can find the PowerPoint presentations here.

Here are several highlights from the BeanCon24 Final Report:

• 94% rated BeanCon24 as excellent or very good
• 95% rated networking as excellent or very good
• 98% rated overall satisfaction with the event as excellent or very good
• 75% of companies achieved sales as a result of this event
• 50% of companies had more than US$ 2 million in sales
• 62% of companies reported that they anticipate an increase in sales as a result of this event
• 100% responded that they would participate in another USDBC event
• 275 business meetings between US exporters and Mexican importers took place
• There were nearly 300 attendees (primarily in person, with limited virtual)

Below are a couple of the charts from the report.

The Dry Bean Scene is sponsored, in part, by NBGA. Click on the links below to listen to the most recent episodes.

• ➡️ April 1, 2024: Sam Markell, NDSU Extension Plant Pathologist, provides several reminders and tips as we enter the dry bean growing season. He discusses rust, white mold, and more.

• ➡️ March 16, 2024: Dan Smith, Kelley Bean Company Chief Agronomist, discusses expected planted acres of dry beans this year. He says that acres have been slow to pick up this year, but there are still chances for increases.