MN Ag EXPO set for Jan. 19-20

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Registration is open for MN Ag EXPO 2022! MN Ag EXPO, hosted by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA), is the premier winter event for the state’s corn and soybean farmers.

After a virtual pivot in 2021, the 2022 show will be held Jan. 19–20 at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato. The event is free to attend, but pre-registration is required to ensure meal tickets.

“Minnesota Corn is proud to co-sponsor MN Ag EXPO and other events that allow farmers to network, hear from industry leaders and explore the latest trends in agriculture,” MCGA President Bryan Biegler said in a statement. “We’re looking forward to highlighting our grassroots membership and can’t wait to get together.”

“We are thrilled to reunite with our fellow farmers and the agriculture community,” MSGA President and Beltrami farmer Mike Skaug said in a statement. “MN Ag EXPO is always a must-attend for growers throughout our state. After the trials and tribulations of the past couple years, we’re definitely not taking the 2022 EXPO for granted.”

Attendees looking to stay overnight in Mankato are strongly encouraged to book lodging as soon as possible due to a busier than usual week in Mankato with Hockey Day Minnesota events. Both the Hilton Garden Inn and the Mankato City Center Hotel are attached via skyway to the event center. Other hotels have discounted MN Ag EXPO rates, but are not connected to the event center.

Free chartered bus transportation to and from MN Ag Expo is available for northern Minnesota farmers.

Fifth-generation rancher and agriculture advocate Amanda Radke will provide the opening afternoon keynote address, and comedian Todd Andrews will speak at dinner that evening. The speaker at the ‘Food for Thought’ closing luncheon will be U.S. Army veteran Jack Zimmerman, a Minnesota native who suffered catastrophic injuries during a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Farm management expert Kent Thiesse will deliver the Morning Ag Economic Outlook presentation.

MCGA’s delegate session and annual meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on Jan. 20.

Make sure to stop by the MCGA booth on the trade show floor to learn the many ways the state’s corn farmers are building a brighter future for Minnesota agriculture. Connect with old friends, look for giveaways, learn how your corn check-off funds are working for you, and explore the benefits of membership.

MSGA will be holding its annual Carnival fundraiser on Jan. 19 at the Loose Moose Salon. A $25 ticket includes drinks, appetizers, games and prizes that go toward a worthy cause: supporting MSGA’s grassroots advocacy mission in St. Paul and Washington, D.C. To cap the 2022 MN Ag EXPO, MSGA will announce the winner of its All-Seasons Ice Fish House raffle on Jan. 20. The Fish House is made with soy-based spray insulation, furniture cushions, paint, cabinetry and flooring. It sleeps six, has a full restroom, features eight ice holes and LED strip lighting and more. MSGA is selling $100 raffle tickets (cash or check only), and remaining tickets are limited. Tickets can be purchased via MSGA board members, at select Profinium locations and at Minnesota Soybean‘s Mankato headquarters.

All proceeds from MN Ag EXPO help fund MSGA’s efforts in promoting farm-friendly policy. In 2022, MSGA celebrates its 60th year of operations.

“Our members and sponsors have been driving our mission since 1962, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to once again visit as an agriculture community,” MSGA Executive Director Joe Smentek said. “There’s going to be something for everyone at this year’s Ag EXPO.”

To learn more or to register for MN Ag EXPO, visit MNAgEXPO.com.

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2022 MN Ag EXPO schedule, Jan. 19-20

Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center, Mankato

Schedule is subject to change