Macomb, IL – Western Illinois University now has a $300,000 endowment to help fund soybean research. The money from the Illinois Soybean Association comes from checkoffs when the beans are marketed. Agriculture Department Chairman William Bailey says research projects will be solicited from all departments in the university. Possible areas include use of soybeans as feed or biodiesel production. Bailey says there may also be studies of the international market for soybeans and how US farmers could use it to best advantage.