Mark your calendars for the 2022 State of Ag Report release date!
Join GreenSeam on National Ag Day, Tuesday, March 22 and be one of the first to view this year's State of Ag survey and focus group findings. The event will take place at FarmAmerica, 7367 360th Avenue in Waseca from 2:30 to 5 pm.

Agenda:
2:30 – 3:00: Registration
3:40 – 4:00 pm: State of Ag Report Release
4:00 – 5:00 pm: Networking

The State of Ag Report is a result of a comprehensive survey of Minnesota's agribusinesses and related industries and a series of focus groups. It reveals the perceptions and opinions on the economy and other major issues impacting the businesses in the ag industry and places emphasis on education, as well as talent attraction and retention. This report enables GreenSeam to better understand, serve, and support the workforce, businesses, organizations, and communities we call home.

Congratulations, Valerie Johnson, GreenSeam Volunteer of the Year!
At the Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 8, GreenSeam honored Valerie Johnson of Christensen Farm as our organization's Volunteer of the Year. Valeries serves as the Chair of GreenSeam's Talent Development, Attraction, and Retention Committee and, over the past two years, has shown outstanding commitment. Valerie speaks in classrooms, placing emphasis on new ideas and approaches through her work with GreenSeam. Thanks to her leadership on the Committee, GreenSeam has funded and launched two talent video campaigns, explored new partnerships, and recruited new members. Valerie will always say that she finds more value in working in agriculture than any other industry she has been involved in.

Tradeshow Focusing on Strenghtening Food Businesses
The FEAST! Local Foods Network will hold its first ever standalone local foods tradeshow for wholesale buyers and manufacturers on Thursday, March 17, at the Grand O2 Event Center in Cannon Falls, MN. The tradeshow focuses on strategies for growing a regional food business, such as building relationships with buyers, entrepreneur peer networking, and financing and marketing. The FEAST! Network believes it is vital to support these businesses as they enhance our communities by creating jobs, markets for regional farms, unique food products, and business models that give back to the community. GreenSeam is proud to be on the FEAST! committee. Learn more here.

University of Minnesota Looking to Bring $220M Ag Research Facility to Mower County
The University of Minnesota is continuing to explore the development of an advanced agricultural research complex in Mower County, which would help farmers with sustainable food production. The Future of Advanced Agricultural Research in Minnesota (FAARM) will bring together the University of Minnesota, The Hormel Foundation, and Riverland Community College in Austin to build a new ag research and education center. To read more, follow this link.

First Full-Time Director at MN State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence
Minnesota State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence has named its first full-time director. Megan Roberts started in her new role on March 3. She will oversee the operations of this North Mankato-based center. Read more here.

10th Annual Ag Bowl Scholarship Invitational
Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall hosted their 10th Annual Ag Bowl Scholarship Invitational in February that brought nearly 1,000 FFA students from across the state. They celebrated agriculture, participated in competitions, and heard from industry leaders like Brian Knochenmus, President/CEO of Ralco.