MANKATO — In the past five years agribusiness companies have invested nearly $1 billion in new or expanded development in southern Minnesota, helping to solidify the region as a key agribusiness sector in the world, said Sam Ziegler, president and director of GreenSeam.
Wednesday evening the organization celebrated its successes in the past fiver years during the Celebration of Ag event at ISG Field in Mankato, prior to enjoying a MoonDogs baseball game.
GreenSeam is under the umbrella of Greater Mankato Growth and works to expand and attract agribusinesses in southern Minnesota.
Ziegler said they have been wrapping up a successful five-year plan that has focused on helping businesses and on raising funds to support GreenSeam and other related efforts. They are working on the next five-year plan.
He said many businesses pledged a five-year donation and all stuck to it. “Not one of them backed out, which is pretty impressive.”
The money raised pays for GreenSeam operations and for a variety of educational events, entrepreneurial classes, projects at Farmamerica and the Children’s Museum and more.
He said more than 3,000 area students have also been given more agribusiness education. There are now ag programs at Mankato schools that didn’t exist before, with two teachers teaching agribusiness related classes. One of the teachers is fully funded by private industry so the schools don’t have to pay for them.
GreenSeam and businesses also worked with Minnesota State University to create ag minors and an ag business degree program. South Central College now has a mechanical/electrical degree that is focused on the food industry
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Three innovative products designed, engineered and built right here.
Agco – in Jackson Minnesota with the Rowgator, big sprayer that can be raised or lowered for fertilieer or herbicide, can use it when crops are at different heights.
outside winnebago largest bioreactor takes drainage tile and triying to remove nitrtes fron water. ISG
Kahler Automation fairmont development for bulk material
we havea about 60 vollunteers between our great board and others. We have a mall staff of three.
Looking at developing our next five year plan.
Board Chair Wes Beck farmer from St.
Wes Beck
GreenSeam, Chair
Wes Beck is a fourth-generation farmer based in Watonwan County. Together with his wife Karla, Wes cultivates corn, soybeans, and raises pigs. He is passionate about engaging in agriculture beyond his own farm. Wes served for many years on the AgStar Board of Directors and now actively represents GreenSeam and the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. He is also involved in several other agricultural organizations. Wes and Karla have two sons, and they enjoy spending their free time on their pontoon at Lake Hanska.
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hom Petersen
Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Commissioner
Thom Petersen was appointed Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in 2019 and reappointed in 2023. Before being appointed Commissioner, Petersen served as the Director of Government Relations for Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) since 2002
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MANKATO — The Celebration of Ag will feature networking, food, beverages, live music and a MoonDogs game as GreenSeam celebrates its investors and the successes of the regional food and ag industry.
The event begins at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at ISG Field in Mankato.
The Dog Pound will be exclusively available to Celebration of Ag attendees for the duration of the event and MoonDogs game.
This year’s program will be in the grandstand, providing updates on GreenSeam’s last year of impact with remarks from State Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen.
GreenSeam was founded in 2014 by Greater Mankato Growth to promote the region as a world-class food and agribusiness epicenter.
A panel of regional economic development leaders from across the region will discuss the importance of cross-regional partnerships to developing rural communities and learn about the technologies made in southern Minnesota that are making a global impact on the food and ag industry.
General audience members attending the game will be able to experience immersive virtual reality displays simulating careers in agriculture and hear live music from 3 Hour Download before the start of the game.
Registration opens at 4 p.m. with the program starting at 4:30 pm. At 5:15 p.m. there will be networking, food, adult beverages and live music.
The MoonDogs vs. Minot Hot Tots game begins at 6:35 p.m.
The cost to attend the Celebration of Ag is $30 for adults and $15 for children. For tickets, visit greenseam.org/celebration.