In the land where cotton was once king, the bean is now the queen and she’s got her eyes on the big crown.

Miss-Lou farmers have been planting soybeans for years, but lately, the beans have found a new prominence in the hearts of minds of some farmers — and a few business people, too.

Soybean-based biofuels are quickly becoming mainstream all across the country, but especially in our community.

Thousands of gallons of the product are being produced in the area each day. Plans are to produce 10 times that much in the days and months ahead.

We all know that our country is heavily dependent on foreign oil. We’re one political dispute or skirmish away from being in a serious bind when it comes to our nation’s obsession with petroleum products.

Our country must begin to make the tough decisions necessary to begin curtailing that dependency.

Soybeans are not the single solution. Statistics show us that it would be difficult, if not impossible, for our nation to produce enough soybeans each year to create enough biodiesel to replace petroleum fuels.

But it can easily be a part of the solution and a part of the solution that can instantly be deployed, using our current distribution system.

To make the change, however, keeping the need for alternative fuels at the front of the national attention is paramount.

The bean’s royal seeds are planted. It’s up to us to water it and help foster its growth.