Fifteen Years of CommonGround Minnesota
Building Trust, One Conversation at a Time
This month, CommonGround Minnesota celebrates its 15th anniversary- a milestone that’s equal parts celebration and reflection. Debuted nationally by the National Corn Growers Association and United Soybean Board, CommonGround was designed to connect women farmers with consumers concerned about GMOs and other agricultural practices. Over the next 15 years, 20 states launched programs with over 200 farm women volunteering their time to talk all things food and farming with consumers. Supported by the Minnesota corn checkoff, CommonGround also took root in Minnesota.
Farmers First
CommonGround Minnesota’s volunteers aren’t communications professionals or marketing experts- they are farmers who believe the story of modern agriculture is best told by those who live it.
Volunteers are the heartbeat of the organization. Today’s volunteers range from first-generation farmers to those from multi-generational operations. They include row crop, livestock, and specialty producers- and often, a farmer is all three! Each new volunteer brings a fresh perspective, and together their voices strengthen the message.
These volunteers meet consumers where they are: at kitchen tables, in classrooms, at events, and online. Through it all, the organization remains steadfast in its mission: helping consumers understand modern agriculture by hearing directly from the people who live it every day.
Finding Common Ground
Perhaps the most unique aspect of CommonGround’s approach is its focus on shared values. Before diving into facts and figures, volunteers start by finding common ground-shared priorities like food safety, family health, or caring for the environment. Once those connections are established, conversations become more meaningful and respectful, even when discussing complex or controversial topics. The information shared resonates more strongly because it’s grounded in empathy and experience.
Fifteen years in, CommonGround Minnesota has proven that open, honest dialogue can change minds and strengthen the reputation of agriculture.
Evolving Topics, Lasting Values
The topics that dominate conversations have evolved over the years. Core themes like food safety, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship remain constant, but new questions have emerged around PFAS, soil health, sustainability, biofuels, land use, and water quality.
These subjects hit close to home for Minnesota’s corn farmers. CommonGround volunteers explain how technology allows them to use fewer inputs more efficiently, protect water and soil, and care for their land for future generations. They show consumers that today’s farmers blend innovation, stewardship, and family tradition in every decision they make.
From Hashtags to Harvest
Connection methods have evolved too. Social media now plays a bigger role in reaching consumers, but getting people out on the farm is still one of the most powerful experiences for a consumer.
Annual farm dinners have become a signature event that are popular and impactful for both volunteers and guests. For metro consumers, stepping onto a working farm helps them see beyond headlines and gain firsthand understanding of what a modern farm looks like. Consumers can see farming for what it really is — a mix of science, stewardship, and heart. For Minnesota’s corn farmers, these moments matter.
Looking Ahead
As CommonGround Minnesota looks to the next 15 years, the playbook remains familiar but flexible: keep showing up, keep learning, and keep inviting people into conversation. If the last decade and a half are any indication, CommonGround Minnesota will continue to be a place where both farmers and consumers walk away with something valuable- clearer information, greater trust, and stronger connections. For an organization built on a simple idea: that real people talking over a shared table can build understanding, 15 years in is both a celebration and an invitation to keep the conversations going.
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