Willie and the Beanstalk is a soybean competition for Kansas K-12 students to encourage interest in the field and increase their knowledge of soybean development. Students who enter the competition will work to see who can grow the largest soybean plant. The contest can prove to be a valuable teaching tool as it allows students to plant their own soybean, then watch it grow and document the progress the plant has made.

Be part of the contest to grow the biggest soybean plant in 47 days!

• Registration for the 2026 contest will open February 1st, 2026.
  
  • Please contact beanstalk@ksu.edu or nonelson@ksu.edu with questions about late registration.
• Rules for 2025* Contest
  
  • First day to plant/soak seed - Monday, March 2, 2026
  • Documentation submission deadline - Friday, April 3, 2026
    • Information on documentation
  • Remote judging on Saturday, April 18, 2026
  • Information on remote judging
    • All judging is remote this year. No in-person judging will take place on Kansas State University campus.

For more information, email beanstalk@ksu.edu