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MN Corn wraps up another successful Farmfest

August 9, 2022

State Sen. Torrey Westrom (left) talks with grower-leaders Bryan Bieger, Brian Thalmann and Richard Syverson.

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Above: State Sen. Torrey Westrom (left) talks with MCGA grower-leaders Bryan Bieger, Brian Thalmann and Richard Syverson.

The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) has completed another successful Farmfest, during which grower-leaders engaged with policymakers about issues important to corn farmers and highlighted the value of our state’s corn check-off program.

MCGA once again was featured prominently at the annual agriculture trade show outside Redwood Falls. Scores of farmers and policymakers stopped by our tent during the three-day event, enjoying free samples of sweet corn ice cream and learning about how Minnesota corn powers our state.

Grower-leaders also participated in a multitude of media interviews throughout the week, and MCGA was prominently featured as the official sponsor of WCCO News Radio’s Farmfest coverage. Additionally, MCGA was the official sponsor of the Farmfest gubernatorial candidate forum, which was moderated by WCCO’s Blois Olson.

[More: Watch a recording of the forum]

A welcome addition to Farmfest this year was the participation of ClearFlame Engine Technologies, a Minnesota Corn-supported start-up aiming to develop an ethanol-powered diesel engine for long-haul trucking. ClearFlame was featured as an exhibitor at the trade show and showed visitors a prototype of their truck.

MCGA proudly participates in multiple trade shows each year, including Farmfest, as part of our mission to engage with members and policymakers. We thank all the grower-leaders who volunteered their time to participate in the event and thank all the elected officials who stopped by our tent.

Grower leaders Richard Syverson (left), Brandon Fast (second from left) and Chad Willis (light blue shirt) and MCGA Executive Director and CEO Adam Birr (right) pose with B.J. Johnson, co-founder and CEO of ClearFlame Engine Technologies.
MCGA First Vice President Richard Syverson (left) and President Bryan Biegler talk with state Sen. Erin Murphy, the ranking minority member of the state Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Finance and Policy Committee.
MCGA Senior Public Policy Director Amanda Bilek and Tom Haag, first vice president of the National Corn Growers Association and a member of the MCGA board, talk with Congressman Tom Emmer, who represents Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District.
Harold Wolle, an MCGA and National Corn Growers Association board member, talks with state Sen. Bill Weber.
Grower-leaders talk with Brad Finstad, a candidate for Congress in southern Minnesota’s first district.
Visitors to MCGA’s Farmfest tent grab their free samples of sweet corn-flavored ice cream, which is made by the University of Minnesota.
MCGA President Bryan Biegler and Senior Public Policy Director Amanda Bilek talk with Tyler Kistner, a candidate for Congress in Minnesota’s second district.
Grower-leaders talk with Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach, who represents western Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District.
MCGA President Bryan Biegler, his wife, Lauren, and their son, Wes, talk with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
MCGA Senior Public Policy Director Amanda Bilek (left), President Bryan Biegler and Public Policy Specialist Alex Trunnell talk with Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips (right).
Grower-leaders John Mages (left) and Doug Albin (center) talk with Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Dr. Scott Jensen.
Tom Haag (third from right), the first vice president of the National Corn Growers Association and a member of the MCGA board, speaks during a crop insurance panel at Farmfest.
Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Dr. Scott Jensen shakes hands with Harold Wolle, a member of the MCGA and National Corn Growers Association boards of directors.
State Sen. Torrey Westrom (left) talks with grower-leaders Bryan Bieger, Brian Thalmann and Richard Syverson.
Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman shakes hands with MCGA First Vice President Richard Syverson.
From left to right: MCGA First Vice President Richard Syverson, state Sen. Torrey Westrom, MCGA President Bryan Biegler, and MCGA and National Corn Growers Association board member Brian Thalmann.
Dan Lemke of Linder Farm Network interviews MCGA board member Todd Wentzel during a live broadcast of the network’s 12 p.m. show in the Wick Building at Farmfest.
From left to right: MCGA Senior Public Policy Director Amanda Bilek, Lauren Biegler, MCGA President Bryan Biegler, Wes Biegler and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
Grower-leaders talk with Congresswoman Angie Craig, who represents Minnesota’s Second Congressional District.