MN Ag EXPO returned to Mankato last week, once again featuring great exhibitors, unique learning opportunities and a productive Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) annual meeting.

In the MCGA booth, a seven-foot tall video board shared the many ways the state’s corn growers are building a more sustainable future for fellow farmers and all Minnesotans. MCGA staff and grower leaders had a great time hosting attendees in the booth to discuss research, policy, ethanol infrastructure and more.

The MCGA PAC Breakfast kicked off day one of MN Ag EXPO. Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman made the trip down to Mankato to speak

with attendees. The democratic representative from Brooklyn Park discussed the current legislative session and fielded questions around issues impacting corn farmers and rural communities. Funds raised at the breakfast will help advance legislative issues important to the state’s corn farmers.

The Minnesota Corn resolutions session and annual meeting followed the PAC breakfast. The resolutions session was standing-room only as grassroots efforts were at work setting MCGA policy for the year ahead. During the annual meeting, MCGA President Brian Thalmann, Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council (MCR&PC) Chair Gary Prescher and Executive Director Adam Birr provided an update on MCGA activities and an outlook on the year ahead.

Speaker Hortman chatted with a full room at the MCGA PAC Breakfast.

On Wednesday evening, farmers representing MCGA’s 52 county organizations gathered to celebrate their successes over the prior year. From hosting local outreach events to contributing to statewide policy goals, the reception was a great opportunity to honor grassroots efforts at the county level.

Pro Farmer Political Analyst Jim Wiesemeyer was the keynote speaker for dinner on Wednesday. Wiesemeyer brought his decades of experience on agricultural policy and trade to discuss how the current political landscape is impacting farmers and what to expect in the future.

MN Ag EXPO is jointly hosted by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association.