Minnesota, U.S.A, — For more than three decades, Minnesota Farmfest has been a destination for thousands of local residents, regional farmers, top producers, academic leaders, politicians and agriculture organizations and associations. This year’s event kicks off Tuesday, August 7  at the Gilfillan Estate, seven miles southeast of Redwood Falls, Minnesota.

In addition to political forums, issues affecting farmers will also be debated. The first – Water Quality Initiatives – will be led by Linder Farm Network Farm Director Lynn Ketelsen on August 7  at 1:15pm. The panel includes top ag policy makers including Dave Frederickson, MN Commissioner of Agriculture; Kevin Paap, President, MN Farm Bureau;  Doug Peterson, President, MN Farmers Union; and Lawrence Sukalski, Chairman, MN Ag Water Resource Center.

“Once again, Kent Thiesse has done an incredible job at putting together our Minnesota Farmfest forums,” says Raymond Bianchi, vice president and group show director of IDEAg. “These forums offer attendees access to policymakers that need to hear from them. This year’s forum is one of our best.”

At 2:45pm on Tuesday, U.S. Senator Al Franken will open “The Renewable Fuel Standard: Fueling the Agriculture and Energy Industries.” The discussion will be led by panel members - Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy; Tim Rudnicki, Executive Director, MN Bio-Fuels Assn.; Brad Nelson, President, MN Ethanol Producers Assn.; Chad Willis, Chair, National Corn Growers Assn. Ethanol Committee; and Doug Peterson, President, MN Farmers Union.

On Wednesday, the afternoon panel will discuss Consumer Preferences: Future changes for the livestock industry and on Thursday, Innovation in Agriculture: Opportunities from the University will be the topic for Thursday’s program. For more information, log onto http://www.ideaggroup.com/farmfest. Registration is sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts.  Qualified attendees can register for free admission at www.IDEAgGroup.com/Farmfest.

In its third decade, the IDEAg Minnesota Farmfest continues to connect industry leading manufacturers/providers with decision making producers. It is a leading agricultural event, drawing attendees from around the region. Minnesota Farmfest is visited each year by more than 35,000 attendees with over 600 vendors.

The Minnesota Farmfest forums are developed by former University of Minnesotaeducator Kent Thiesse. Each year, thousands attend to hear from leaders in the field discussing topics on national and state agricultural policy issues affecting rural Minnesota.

Minnesota Farmfest is produced by IDEAg, a property of Cygnus Business Media. The company reaches millions of professionals annually. As one of America’s top business-to-business media companies, Cygnus is leading the way in providing targeted content to top decision-makers and organizations.

The company’s corporate initiatives and organizational architecture are built with one goal: fully engaging audiences in aviation, building & construction, public safety & security, and agriculture vertical markets, as well as diversified industries such as transportation, printing, accounting, and vending. Visit Cygnusb2b.com to learn more.

Image Courtesy of  Chapendra

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