UTICA, Ill. — The journey of a locally-sourced fuel begins with a single seed.

The cycle of soybeans used to create fuel that powers everything from commercial vehicles to farm equipment — biodiesel — was center stage Thursday in La Salle County as members of the Illinois Soybean Association held a behind-the-scenes look for area media organizations.

The tour started at the Utica farm of John and Kate Hagenbuch. The couple, along with John's father, Albert, farm 1,200 acres. A third of those are planted in soybeans.