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MN Ag Expo 2025 is a wrap!

January 27, 2025

Reading Time: 3 minutes

MN Ag Expo 2025, the premier winter event for the state’s corn and soybean farmers, is complete! It was an eventful two days at the annual show in Mankato, which is hosted by Minnesota Corn and Minnesota Soybean, with farmers enjoying education sessions, networking, demonstrations, a tradeshow and more.

Below is a summary of the event:

Annual meetings

A centerpiece of the event is the annual meetings for the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and Minnesota Soybean Growers Association. MCGA held its resolution session and annual meeting on the first day of MN Ag Expo, and MSGA held its annual meeting on the second day.

MCGA began the gathering with its resolution session, during which delegates held a grassroots discussion about the organization’s policy priorities and finalized its 2025 resolutions book. At the annual meeting, delegates re-elected Dana Allen-Tully, Jim Kanten, and D.J. VanKlompenburg to the MCGA board and elected James Johnstad, Gregg Muehler, and Nathan Serbus to the board for the first time. Johnstad raises corn, wheat, soybeans, and sugar beets in Polk County, Muehler raises corn and soybeans in Traverse County, and Serbus raises corn and soybeans in Renville County.

MCGA farmer-leaders also recognized several farmers and ag allies with awards. Allen-Tully received the Gavel Plaque Award in recognition of her service as MCGA president in 2024, Kent Thiesse received the Friend of Agriculture Award in honor of his decades of service to Minnesota’s ag industry, and Tom Haag received the Golden Kernel Award for his 14 years as a member of the MCGA and NCGA board. Additionally, Minnesota Corn Executive Director Adam Birr recognized Public Policy Manager Alex Trunnell for reaching five years with the organization and recently retired District Field Manager Marlene Dufault for her 11 years with the organization.

Trade show floor

MN Ag Expo featured a full trade show, and Minnesota Corn was once again an active presence at the event. Farmer-leaders were on hand throughout the two days at the Minnesota Corn trade show booth to highlight the latest in MCGA grassroots activities and Minnesota corn checkoff-funded research and activities. Farmer-leaders also handed out special MN Ag Expo giveaway items to attendees, including a special prize for farmers who filled out a short survey.

Once again near the Minnesota Corn booth was the Minnesota corn checkoff researcher area. Throughout MN Ag Expo, farmers and scientists whose work is funded through the checkoff were on hand to present their projects to Expo-goers. You can learn more about those projects here.

Panel discussions, keynote speeches, and more

Other highlights of MN Ag Expo included a series of panel discussions and keynote speeches. Day one featured a discussions on grain marketing and a panel with leaders from the state Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources along with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Katrina Kessler. There was also a panel discussion on sustainable aviation fuel featuring Delta Air Lines Vice President for State and Local Government Affairs Jeff Davidman, MCGA board member Richard Syverson, and MSGA President Darin Johnson. At night, Rob Sharkey (aka the Shark Farmer) and his wife, Emily, gave the dinner keynote speech, talking about his journey to becoming a nationally recognized TV and radio personality. Additionally, day one included the annual MCGA auction and reception.

Day two featured discussions on grain markets and a trade policy panel featuring Virginia Houston of the American Soybean Association, Kaytlin Bemis of NCGA, MSGA farmer-leader Joel Schreurs, and Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council (MCR&PC) member Chad Willis, who is also a U.S. Grains Council past president. It also included a panel on farmer mental health featuring MSGA’s Bob Worth and MCR&PC Chair Duane Epland and a lunchtime keynote address by Machinery Pete.

Minnesota Corn thanks all MN Ag Expo attendees for another great MN AG Expo. Learn more about upcoming events at mncorn.org/events.

A scene from the CPR training session at MN Ag Expo.
Rob Sharkey, also known as the SharkFarmer, and his wife, Emily, speak give the dinner keynote speech at MN AG Expo in Mankato on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
MCGA President Jim Kanten speaks during the organization’s annual meeting at MN Ag Expo in Mankato.
MCGA President Jim Kanten presents Kent Thiesse with the organization’s Friend of Agriculture Award during MN Ag Expo in Mankato.
MCGA President Jim Kanten presents former MCGA and NCGA farmer-leader Tom Haag with the Golden Kernel Award.
Former MCGA and NCGA board member Tom Haag speaks during MCGA’s annual meeting after receiving the Golden Kernel Award.
Minnesota Corn Executive Director Adam Birr speaks during MCGA’s annual meeting at MN Ag Expo in Mankato.
Bryan Bielger speaks during MCGA’s resolutions session at MN Ag Expo in Mankato.
Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council Chair Duane Epland speaks during MCGA’s annual meeting.
MCGA President Jim Kanten presents Past President Dana Allen-Tully with the Gavel Plaque Award.
MSGA President Darin Johnson speaks during an SAF panel at MN Ag Expo. Also on stage were MCGA board member Richard Syverson (left) and Delta Airlines Vice President for State and Local Government Affairs Jeff Davidman.
Graduate student Mason Currie explains his Minnesota corn checkoff-funded research project to an attendee of MN Ag Expo.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz meets with MCGA farmer-leaders and staff during MN Ag Expo on Thursday, Jan. 23, in Mankato.
Minnesota Corn Executive Director Adam Birr recognizes Public Policy Manager Alex Trunnell for his five-year anniversary with the organization during MCGA’s annual meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 22.