Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Soybean Facts   During the Civil War, soybeans were used in place of coffee because real coffee was scarce. One acre of soybeans can produce 82,368 crayons. US farmers first grew soybeans as cattle feed. Henry Ford experimented with soy-based plastics in the production of his cars. In 1940 he swung an axe at a car trunk to demonstrate the durability of soy plastics. Soy ink is used in over 95 percent of America’s daily newspapers that circulate more than fifteen hundred copies per run. Soybeans make great crayons. One acre of soybeans can make 82,363 crayons. Soybean Lessons Back to Ag Facts Back to Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom is a program of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, 4-H Youth Development, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.