March 24th, 2020
MANKATO, Minn. — For the first time in the State of Minnesota, GreenSeam and numerous volunteers, partners and residents have helped to conduct and launch the Minnesota State of Ag Report.
The State of Ag Report is a comprehensive survey of Minnesota’s agribusinesses and related businesses. It reveals the perceptions and opinions on the economy and other major issues impacting ag businesses, with an emphasis on education and talent attraction and retention. GreenSeam needs business leaders, human resources professionals and executive level professionals to provide their expertise and insights.
The State of Ag report includes five focus groups held in five locations in the GreenSeam. Thank you to all hosts from helping make this report become a reality.
- Austin, Development Corporation of Austin
- Fairmont, Fairmont Economic Development
- Faribault, Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce
- Mankato, Greater Mankato Growth
- Marshall, Economic Development Authority
Participants were asked to share challenges and solutions their businesses face each day. The focus groups provided a strong reach of southern Minnesota. GreenSeam has worked hard to capture both the concerns and opportunities businesses are looking at today and long-term.
The report will give our agriculture industry and rural Minnesota a much-needed voice in what is happening. With access to the knowledge of leaders and more information, we can properly address the challenges employers have today and prepare for their future needs. The information in the report regarding talent needs will be shared with our educational partners to ensure our education system is on track. This will also allow the GreenSeam to further define the full breadth of agriculture.
GreenSeam asked for individuals representing the following business classifications to participate: Farmers, Food & Beverage, Livestock, Agronomy / Crop Science, Agri-Services / Business, Transportation / Energy, and Professional Services.
Tom Mason of Mason Public Affairs lead the focus groups and the creation of the initial survey. Report results and discussion will be shared on KTOE radio 1420 AM, 102.7 FM starting at 3:00 pm each day. The topics are as follows:
- March 24: National Ag Day, Inaugural MN State of Ag Report Released, Talent Shortage
- March 25: Regional Collaboration, agribusiness, education, etc.
- March 26: Careers in Ag
- March 27: Next Steps for ag in our region
Thank you to our sponsors, Ardent Mills, Bremer Bank, Crystal Valley Coop, Southern Minnesota Center of Agriculture, Minnesota Pork Producers and Minnesota State University-Mankato. Thank you also to our community hosts; Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce, Development Corporation of Austin, Fairmont Economic Development, Marshall Economic Development Authority and Greater Mankato Growth. Also, a special thanks to team at the Southern MN Agricultural Center of Excellence for working on this with us.
“This is a big day for GreenSeam to share our inaugural report so we can begin to tackle the challenges and start to leverage our strengths to drive future economic growth in our region!” said Sam Ziegler, Director of GreenSeam. “The commitment our regional partners have made to collaborate with GreenSeam is key to the success of rural Minnesota and agriculture.”
About GreenSeam, LLC
GreenSeam is a grassroots initiative, created by countless businesses and professionals from southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. This initiative exists to build on existing ag business prominence maximizing a growing economic marketplace in order to be the premier ag business epicenter in the United States – the most diverse, balanced and sustainable. It is a place that is agriculturally relevant, responsive and diverse. GreenSeam is a business unit of Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. (GMG). Learn more at greenseam.org.