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Thursday, December 2
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center
4:30 - 8:30 pm
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We have extended our ticket sale throughout the holiday! Join us for dinner and participate in discussions about the weather and climate change, timely topics for the rural economy, and beyond, with public leaders and a wide range of attendees from the agricultural sector. The 38th Rural Forum, Weathering the Xtremes: From Farm to Main Street will take place on December 2 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, starting at 4:30 pm.
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SPEAKER HIGHLIGHT:
HEIDI ROOP
Assistant Professor | Extension Specialist
University of Minnesota, Department of Soil, Water, and Climate
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Heidi Roop will share insights into climate change, impacts, and adaptation, as well as climate change communication and science-society interactions. In her work, Heidi combines climate science and science communication to connect climate change information to decision-makers and communities across the Midwest, U.S., and abroad. By producing actionable, relevant climate science, Heidi helps diverse stakeholders prepare for a changing climate and aspires to be a scientist who changes how the world engages in science, with scientists.
Heidi’s climate science career has led her around the world where she has participated in research in Greenland and Antarctica to the mountains of Vietnam and New Zealand. Heidi was the Lead Scientist for Science Communication at the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group and she worked as Physical Scientist at the United States Geological Survey’s Colorado Water Science Center. Heidi has used her science communication expertise to help organizations like NASA, the National Science Foundation, the Exploratorium, and the Washington State Department of Ecology more effectively communicate their work. In addition to her appointment at the University of Minnesota, she holds an Affiliate Assistant Professorship at the University of Washington School of Public Health and is an Adjunct Researcher at the Center for Science and Society at Victoria University of Wellington. She also serves as an editor for the journal Geoscience Communication.
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SPEAKER HIGHLIGHT:
BRUCE RASTETTER
CEO | Founder
Summit Agricultural Group
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The focus of the keynote at the 38th annual Rural forum is the creation of Summit Carbon Solutions, a new business platform that will address the global challenge of decarbonization by developing the world’s largest carbon capture and storage project. In doing so, Summit Carbon Solutions will accelerate the transition toward sustainable, renewable energy by dramatically lowering the carbon footprint of biorefineries and other carbon dioxide emission sources throughout the Midwestern region of the United States. When fully developed, Summit Carbon Solutions will have an infrastructure network capable of capturing and permanently storing more than 10 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, which is equivalent to taking 2 million cars off the road per year.
Mr. Rastetter is the founder and CEO of Summit Agricultural Group, a leading agribusiness and renewable energy firm with operations in North and South America. Rastetter’s hands-on experience in global agricultural and renewable energy sectors, matched with his strong focus on strategic business development, has been key to building successful companies and advising government leaders on policy matters.
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SPEAKER LINEUP:
Heidi Roop, University of Minnesota Extension Specialist
Bruce Rastetter, Summit Agricultural Group
Nicole Koziolek, Minnesota FFA State Secretary
Baleigh Peterson, Minnesota FFA State Sentinel
Legislative Panel: Senator Nick Frentz and Representative Todd Lippert
Gary Koch, GreenSeam Chairman
Sam Ziegler, GreenSeam Director
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AGENDA:
4:30 pm – Networking (hors d’oeuvres & beverages)
5:30 pm – Welcome Note
5:40 pm – Dinner
6:15 pm – Keynote Speakers
7:20 pm – Opportunities in Agriculture
7:30 pm – Legislative Panel
8:30 pm – Program Conclusion
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