The two days of MN Ag EXPO 2010 will be packed with opportunities to gain information to keep you ahead of the pack.

On Monday, January 11 and Tuesday, January 12 hundreds of corn and soybean producers from around Minnesota will convene at Jackpot Junction Resort and Casino in Morton for a series of sessions conducted by top agronomists, economists and agriculture industry advocates—all of them poised to help farm operators sharpen the skills and gain the information that will keep them competitive.

Registration begins at 7 a.m. on January 11 and Soybean delegates will have a breakfast. Special programming begins at 10 a.m. with Kevin Triemstra of Minneapolis Biomass Exchange, Jeff Coulter—a University of Minnesota agronomist, and Larry Combest, former U.S. House Ag chairman and currently an advocate for agriculture with his finger on the pulse of DC politicians and policymakers.

“Biomass is one of the hottest new items of interest for our members thanks to the work that corn producers have done with Chippewa Valley Ethanol Coop,” said DeVonna Zeug, president of Minnesota Corn Growers Association and a corn and soybean producer in Walnut Grove. “Minneapolis Biomass Exchange is a company that grew out of a project that AURI started, and their mission is to help make it easier for buyers and sellers of biomass to come together, and build confidence in this new market,” said Zeug. In times like these, the possibility of additional revenue for the farm is something that every operator is interested in. The Minneapolis Biomass Exchange also facilitates the use of a Department of Energy/USDA program that offers a $45 per ton match on the price of biomass that’s sold to certified uses—not just ethanol, but potentially any industrial, commercial—even municipal heating or power generation system.”

A variety plot meeting mid-afternoon on January 11 will help operators get more information about results and also get potential plot cooperators set up to join the program in the spring.

Bruce Vincent, who tours nationally speaking to natural-resource based producers and other businesses about how to keep a positive image with the general public, will come to talk about how corn growers can take a productive role in the water quality restoration efforts now gathering steam in Minnesota.

An analyst from Informa Economics will speak to emerging value-added opportunities and new technologies for soybean and corn producers.

As usual, EXPO also means a tradeshow with dozens of exhibitors showing the latest in equipment and products.

“EXPO is always a chance to meet old friends and network with other producers—this kind of information sharing makes a big difference in the ongoing success of a farmer’s operation,” said Zeug.

The second morning of EXPO is reserved for the business of MCGA that keeps it a strong, grassroots driven organization. Delegates from the 40-plus local county organizations will gather to hammer out this year’s resolutions—the items that will set the direction and inform the activities of the state organization in 2010—in St. Paul and around the state, as well as in Washington, DC.

For the full schedule of activities go to:

Expo Tentative Agenda
When: Monday, January 11 through Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Where: Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel, Morton, MN
Hours: 7:00 a.m. – Midnight Monday, 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Tuesday
Hotel registration: Register for a room at Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel by clicking here OR call 1-800-WIN-CASH. The Group ID is 58388 and the Password is 984.