The 38th annual Rural Forum, held on Thursday, December 2 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, gathered a wide range of attendees, from ag leaders and legislators to college students, for conversations about key issues facing the rural economy. This year's topic, Weathering the Xtremes: From Farm to Main Street, couldn't have been more timely.

Thank you to our keynote speakers, Dr. Heidi A Roop of University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Bruce Rastetter of Summit Agricultural Group, Minnesota FFA Association Officers, Nicole Koziolek and Baleigh Peterson, and the panel of legislators, Senator Frentz, Representative Lippert, and Representative Olson, as well as the panel moderator, Tamara Nelsen. And, last but not least, thank you to our sponsors for helping make this event possible: Minnesota Pork Board, Gislason & Hunter LLP, Christensen Farms, Profinium, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, AgriGrowth, Steve Olson Consulting,  The Land, Alpha Media USA, Radio Mankato, SPX Sports, Compeer Financial, Crystal Valley Cooperative, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Downs Family Farms, MinnStar Bank, Novel Energy Solutions, and Pioneer Bank.

E1 Expo & Showcase is Tomorrow in Rochester
Join entrepreneurs, business leaders from across the region, and GreenSeam at the E1 Expo & Showcase on Thursday, December 9 in Rochester. Read more and register here. GreenSeam is proud to be able to bring agriculture to the table and leverage its expertise and resources to support entrepreneurs on their road to success. We were one of the founding partners of the Entrepreneurs First, a group that provides the right resource at the right time.

Nearly $1MIL Grant Awarded to Initiative GreenSeam Partners With
Minnesota State University, Mankato's Strategic Partnership Center was recently awarded a $942,796 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration to help disadvantaged small businesses. These funds will be utilized by the South Central Community Navigator: Mainstreet Businesses Focused on Food and Agriculture (MBFFA), an initiative that works to enhance sustainability and growth in the agriculture and food-related sector in the Region 9. The nearly $1 million grant will help the MBFFA's five partners provide outreach, education, and technical assistance to small businesses. GreenSeam is proud to be one of these five partners as it continues to work on its mission to elevate our region as the world-class food and agribusiness epicenter. Minnesota State University, Mankato is one out of two Minnesota recipients of this grant among 51 nationwide grantees.

GreenSeam is currently seeking applicants to fill five open seats on its Board of Governors. Each term begins March 2022 and ends March 2025. To serve on the GreenSeam Board of Governors, your business or organization must be a GreenSeam investor. Application deadline: December 31, 2021. Learn more and apply here.

Great Articles in Connect Business Magazine
GreenSeam's partnership with Connect Business Magazine continues. The latest edition (November/December 2021) features a GreenSeam investor, Kahler Automation. The Groundbreaker section offers an interview with Greg Goebel of Investors Commodity Services, Inc. on risks farmers manage while taking part in the commodity exchange.

Midwest Food Processors Association Conference
Last week, we attended the Midwest Food Processors Association Conference in Wisconsin. Garrett Lieffring connected with business leaders from across the Midwest and heard a keynote from Craig Culver, Founder and Chairman of the Board at Culver's.