Soybeans are planted in late Spring, and grow green all summer long.  The beans are used for oil (for food production and cooking), food for animals and humans, and biodiesel.

The lush fields look like carpet along the road, I think.

As the beans start to dry, the plants and pods turn yellow. Soybean fields change colors with the seasons.

But the beans are still doughy inside their pod.  Most pods average 3 or 4 little beans.

As the plants continue to dry out, they turn brown and all the leaves fall off the plants.

The pods pop open easily, and the beans inside are hard and round.

Some fields are being combined already and some are waiting in the wings.  Just before harvest, soybean fields add to the beauty of autumn.