AI in agriculture, sustainable fuel and crop insurance are just a few of the topics that’ll be discussed during Farmfest Forums starting on Tuesday.
Farmfest is a three-day event from Aug. 5-7 in Morgan, Minn., on County Highway 13 in Redwood County at the Gilfillan Estate. Hundreds of exhibitors come from all over to showcase agribusinesses, connect farmers to vendors and educate the public about agriculture.
“I think the community that gets together every year is part of the reason Farmfest continues,” said Niki Jones, Farmfest marketing director. “People want to find some time to meet up and see one another face-to-face in a world where we live online and on our screens. Getting together in person and connecting in that way is so important whether you’re doing business or not doing business. Togetherness is important. …[Farmfest] is a fun place to cap off the summer.”
It’s also an opportunity for legislators to engage rural constituents about ag policy through Farmfest Forums.
There are several forums ranging from artificial intelligence and agriculture to the recently passed reconciliation bill and more. Kent Thiesse, coordinator for Farmfest Forums, said there’s a good mix of topics that are relevant in the agriculture industry right now.
“Who would’ve thought we’d be talking about artificial intelligence as it related to agriculture 20 years ago?” Thiesse said. “But, here we are. I think you try to keep it interesting, but I think part of Farmfest — the reason people keep coming back, besides to see the equipment and maybe listen to forums, is just the networking. I think a lot of folks like to come and visit with people they maybe don’t see as often. Other colleagues in agriculture. Farmers talking to farmers.”
These forums will be held at the Wick Building Farmfest Center
The feature forum is from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday and moderated by Mark Dorenkamp of the Brownfield Ag News. Panelists include four members of Minnesota’s Congressional delegation: DFL U.S. Rep. Angie Craig; Republican Rep. Michelle Fischbach; Republican Rep. Brad Finstad; and Republican Rep. Pete Stauber.
Discussions focus on the agriculture safety net and recently passed reconciliation bill.
From 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., a second set of forums focuses on current economic challenges facing crop and livestock producers, supporting beginning farmers, the future direction of conservation and carbon sequestration programs and understanding the current status of E15 ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel.
There will also be a conversation on clean fuel production credit for low emission transportation fuel producers and other renewable energy initiatives. Panelists include DFL U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar; Minnesota agriculture commissioner Thom Petersen; Jeff Davidman, vice president of state and local government affairs of Delta Airlines; Julia Silvis, vice president of Minnesota Sustainable Aviation Fuel Hub; Dan Glessing, president of Minnesota Farm Bureau; and Gary Wertish, president of Minnesota Farmers Union.
On Wednesday, Aug. 6 at 10:30 a.m., DFL U.S. Sen. Tina Smith will be joined by representatives of the Canadian and Mexican Consulate in Minnesota on the forum panel to talk about trade.
Other organizations represented on the panel include Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, U.S. Meat Export Federation and U.S. Grains Council. This forum is moderated by Don Wick of the Red River Farm Network.
