February 22, 2024 (Mankato, MN) – GreenSeam is pleased to announce the release of its highly-anticipated annual State of Ag Report. The event will take place on National Ag Day, March 19, at Sky One Eleven (Eide Bailly Tower) in Mankato from 1:00 to 4:30pm.

The fifth annual State of Ag Report is the only report of its kind in Minnesota, collecting data from across the food and ag industry to empower businesses and inform public officials. Attendees will receive an exclusive first look at this year’s findings and hear a comprehensive overview of the regional food & ag industry’s challenges and opportunities for 2024.

Food and ag businesses, educators, and community leaders from across southern Minnesota are highly encouraged to attend and enjoy networking opportunities and presentations from esteemed researchers and ag leaders.

Event Highlights

Dr. Megan Roberts, Director of the Agribusiness and Food Innovation Program and DQ Spencer, Assistant Professor of Management, both from Minnesota State University, Mankato, will present key takeaways from this year’s survey and focus groups, looking back at the last five years of data to show where the regional industry is headed. Themes of this year’s survey are workforce, state regulations, and rising costs.

The event will also feature a presentation from Ben Winchester, Extension Educator and Rural Sociologist of the University of Minnesota Extension. Winchester studies the social, economic, and demographic aspects of rural Minnesota, offering a refreshingly positive and data-backed perspective on the vitality of rural and ag-based communities.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Assistant Commissioner, Patrice Bailey, will conclude the event, offering the department’s perspective on the past and upcoming year for the statewide industry.

Event Details

• Date: March 19, 2024
• Location: Sky One Eleven (Eide Bailly Tower), 111 S 2nd St 7th floor, Mankato, MN 56001
• Registration: Early registration is encouraged to secure your spot!
• Website: Visit www.greenseam.org/stateofag for registration and agenda details.

“The food and ag ecosystem has an enormous impact on our region and state, making it critical to take a pulse and understand the challenges businesses are facing and the opportunities on the horizon. GreenSeam is proud to work with our educational partners to offer this research to our industry for the fifth consecutive year,” said GreenSeam’s director, Sam Ziegler.

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About GreenSeam
GreenSeam is an economic development organization for food and agriculture in southern MN and northern IA on a mission to elevate this region as the world-class food and agribusiness epicenter. Its work is guided by four focus areas: business attraction & creation, business retention & expansion, talent development & retention, and regional branding & promotion. As a community brand, GreenSeam’s work is made possible by its business and community investors and committee volunteers with a passion to see the food and ag industry continue to prosper and fuel communities.