The agricultural supply chain is an impressive feat of logistics operating off a vast arsenal of talent. Constrained by perishability and the simple fact that everyone eats, food producers, processors, transporters, and their supporting services are under constant pressure to keep grocery store shelves and restaurant menus fully supplied year-round.
“Here in the GreenSeam, we continue to be the source of food, fiber and fuel for more and more people around the world,” says GreenSeam Director Sam Ziegler. “We also have the opportunity to be a global source of solutions that keep the whole system moving.”
In response to an executive order following multiple supply chain failures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released the 2022 Agri-Food Supply Chain Assessment, examining vulnerabilities in the American food system. Labor was found to be the second most critical vulnerability with the concentration and consolidation of several industry segments taking priority.
The GreenSeam region is no stranger to the talent shortage.
In southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, the largest looming workforce gaps happen to be in the food supply chain. Truck driver and order fillers and stockers constitute 6,000 vacancies or 8 percent of all active job postings in this region as of August 2023. When including retail, restaurant, and repair positions, that number increases to 15,000 — or one in five job vacancies.
Steve Formaneck, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of management at Minnesota State University, Mankato’s College of Business. He has consulted on and taught supply chain management around the world. Among other factors like training, pay, and work-life balance, Dr. Formaneck attributes this worker shortage to “the lack of immigration to the U.S. that was first brought on by the pandemic and affected by changing immigration policies. Agriculture is a major employer of immigrants.”
Shoring up existing workforce gaps will be important to ensure economic resilience in the face of another pandemic; but it will take the widespread adoption of innovative supply chain management practices to ensure sustainable growth in the long-term. It starts by addressing challenges unique to the food supply chain. “Just look at a ripe banana,” says Formaneck. “It can last three days in room temperature. Even though we have many technologies that help extend the life of food that travels around the globe, it is still estimated that around one-third of that food is wasted each year.”
Managing food waste will be essential to long-term sustainability. According to the USDA, 1.3 billion people were food insecure in 2022 — a 10 percent increase from the previous year. To feed those people and the additional 2 billion who will be added to the population by 2050 will require innovative solutions that increase output and transport efficiencies while reducing waste.
Formaneck observes, “The skills that are in the shortest supply yet the highest demand are those revolving around harnessing and managing innovation and technology.” He anticipates future competitiveness in the ag supply chain will rely on “having an understanding of how automation and artificial intelligence should be implemented to enhance efficiency in operations throughout various parts of the supply chain,” allowing for meaningful data gathering which leads to better-informed decision making and risk management.
Because the American food system uniquely straddles the line between public and private sectors, the federal government also sees a need for technologies which enable data transparency. In its 2022 supply chain report, the USDA expresses a need for “an interconnected, dynamic food supply chain monitoring platform where multiple government data sets, and potentially external data sets, could be integrated, analyzed, and monitored in real time to better understand potential challenges, dependencies, and projections.” Data-oriented initiatives like this promise faster identification and mitigation of weak points in the food supply chain, underscoring the need for technical skillsets in STEM and management disciplines with an emphasis on agribusiness.
Minnesota State Mankato’s College of Business is preparing its students to respond to these national and global challenges with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and Food Innovation program. Formaneck says, “we provide students with hands-on industry experiences throughout our courses where they connect with various players connected to the food and ag industry to learn about the challenges they face and to develop analytical and problem-solving skills that are required to overcome them.”
The GreenSeam region’s influence in the global food supply chain is only growing as foreign conflicts and climate change highlight our hub’s history of reliable growth. It is fitting for local industry stakeholders to prepare their future leaders to address these long-term and widespread challenges. “We are grateful that MNSUM has stepped up and built this program for our industry,” says GreenSeam’s Sam Ziegler. “Our entire region will benefit as this program develops the future leaders of the food supply chain.”
GreenSeam believes that working together as an agricultural community will help us better navigate the workforce related challenges experienced today and attract more people to consider careers in agriculture, food, and natural resources. Holly Callaghan, Economic Development Coordinator, can be reached via email at hcallaghan@greenseam.org.
Click here to read the full article on The Land.
Date set for 40th annual Rural Forum presented by GreenSeam
/in In The MediaClick here to watch the full video on KEYC News Now.
GreenSeam is proud to announce the 40th annual Rural Forum, which will take place on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato, MN. Under the theme “Future Forward: Empowering Rural America Through Innovation,” this milestone event will gather current and future leaders from the public and private sectors to discuss the future of rural economies in southern Minnesota. Tickets are available at greenseam.org/forum23/ The 40th annual Rural Forum is presented by Gislason & Hunter LLP.
The Rural Forum is GreenSeam’s premier event and has been a vital platform for fostering discussions about rural development and public policy since its creation. This year, the focus is on innovation as a means to empower rural America, addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
“We’re excited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Rural Forum, with a focus on the future,” said Sam Ziegler, Director of GreenSeam. “We believe that the continued prosperity of our rural communities will depend on collaborative and innovative solutions, and GreenSeam is committed to creating a platform for those important discussions.”
The Rural Forum is open to a wide audience, including food and ag business leaders, students, and public officials. The event will feature networking, dinner, and remarks from experts on the technologies that are transforming rural communities.
Event Speakers
SCC names new Minnesota State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence executive director
/in GreenSeam NewsSouth Central College has named a new director of the Minnesota State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence.
Tina LeBrun, currently a farm business management instructor at SCC, will be the center’s executive director.
On Oct. 11, she will begin the serving in the position recently vacated by Megan Roberts.
LeBrun will further the organization’s mission of aligning students with resources to develop and sustain the workforce needs of agriculture in southern Minnesota, according to an SCC news release.
LeBrun has more than 15 years of experience working with faculty, staff and students in higher education, the news release said, and has been an SCC instructor since January 2009.
She is also past president for the National Farm and Ranch Business Management Educator Association. She holds a bachelor’s in agriculture economics and animal science from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and a master’s in education from the University of Minnesota.
LeBrun was born and raised on a dairy/crop farm in south-central Minnesota; she and her husband are active producers and live on a cattle farm in Lafayette.
LeBrun said in the release she looks forward to continuing work with farm producers, supporting ag educators and students, and strengthening relationships with the ag business and industry.
“I have a strong passion for both agriculture and education, and as a farm producer I believe it is our responsibility to advocate for this great industry,” she stated.
The center includes seven member colleges and universities, including South Central College, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Riverland Community College, Rochester Community and Technical College, Dakota County Technical College, Southwest Minnesota State University and Minnesota State University.
Click here to read the full article on The Free Press.
Talent in the GreenSeam: Labor shortage hampers the agri-food supply chain
/in GreenSeam NewsThe agricultural supply chain is an impressive feat of logistics operating off a vast arsenal of talent. Constrained by perishability and the simple fact that everyone eats, food producers, processors, transporters, and their supporting services are under constant pressure to keep grocery store shelves and restaurant menus fully supplied year-round.
“Here in the GreenSeam, we continue to be the source of food, fiber and fuel for more and more people around the world,” says GreenSeam Director Sam Ziegler. “We also have the opportunity to be a global source of solutions that keep the whole system moving.”
In response to an executive order following multiple supply chain failures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released the 2022 Agri-Food Supply Chain Assessment, examining vulnerabilities in the American food system. Labor was found to be the second most critical vulnerability with the concentration and consolidation of several industry segments taking priority.
The GreenSeam region is no stranger to the talent shortage.
In southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, the largest looming workforce gaps happen to be in the food supply chain. Truck driver and order fillers and stockers constitute 6,000 vacancies or 8 percent of all active job postings in this region as of August 2023. When including retail, restaurant, and repair positions, that number increases to 15,000 — or one in five job vacancies.
Steve Formaneck, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of management at Minnesota State University, Mankato’s College of Business. He has consulted on and taught supply chain management around the world. Among other factors like training, pay, and work-life balance, Dr. Formaneck attributes this worker shortage to “the lack of immigration to the U.S. that was first brought on by the pandemic and affected by changing immigration policies. Agriculture is a major employer of immigrants.”
Shoring up existing workforce gaps will be important to ensure economic resilience in the face of another pandemic; but it will take the widespread adoption of innovative supply chain management practices to ensure sustainable growth in the long-term. It starts by addressing challenges unique to the food supply chain. “Just look at a ripe banana,” says Formaneck. “It can last three days in room temperature. Even though we have many technologies that help extend the life of food that travels around the globe, it is still estimated that around one-third of that food is wasted each year.”
Managing food waste will be essential to long-term sustainability. According to the USDA, 1.3 billion people were food insecure in 2022 — a 10 percent increase from the previous year. To feed those people and the additional 2 billion who will be added to the population by 2050 will require innovative solutions that increase output and transport efficiencies while reducing waste.
Formaneck observes, “The skills that are in the shortest supply yet the highest demand are those revolving around harnessing and managing innovation and technology.” He anticipates future competitiveness in the ag supply chain will rely on “having an understanding of how automation and artificial intelligence should be implemented to enhance efficiency in operations throughout various parts of the supply chain,” allowing for meaningful data gathering which leads to better-informed decision making and risk management.
Because the American food system uniquely straddles the line between public and private sectors, the federal government also sees a need for technologies which enable data transparency. In its 2022 supply chain report, the USDA expresses a need for “an interconnected, dynamic food supply chain monitoring platform where multiple government data sets, and potentially external data sets, could be integrated, analyzed, and monitored in real time to better understand potential challenges, dependencies, and projections.” Data-oriented initiatives like this promise faster identification and mitigation of weak points in the food supply chain, underscoring the need for technical skillsets in STEM and management disciplines with an emphasis on agribusiness.
Minnesota State Mankato’s College of Business is preparing its students to respond to these national and global challenges with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and Food Innovation program. Formaneck says, “we provide students with hands-on industry experiences throughout our courses where they connect with various players connected to the food and ag industry to learn about the challenges they face and to develop analytical and problem-solving skills that are required to overcome them.”
The GreenSeam region’s influence in the global food supply chain is only growing as foreign conflicts and climate change highlight our hub’s history of reliable growth. It is fitting for local industry stakeholders to prepare their future leaders to address these long-term and widespread challenges. “We are grateful that MNSUM has stepped up and built this program for our industry,” says GreenSeam’s Sam Ziegler. “Our entire region will benefit as this program develops the future leaders of the food supply chain.”
GreenSeam believes that working together as an agricultural community will help us better navigate the workforce related challenges experienced today and attract more people to consider careers in agriculture, food, and natural resources. Holly Callaghan, Economic Development Coordinator, can be reached via email at hcallaghan@greenseam.org.
Click here to read the full article on The Land.
New ag exhibit coming to Children’s Museum in September
/in In The MediaMANKATO — A new Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota exhibit opening in September will highlight modern agricultural practices in the region.
The museum announced the Taylor Farm exhibit Wednesday, which is funded by the Glen A. Taylor Foundation.
The exhibit will feature a tractor, corn field, barn and pig sections. Children can go on virtual adventures through farm fields on the tractor.
It will open to the public Sept. 21, with the museum to be closed between Sept. 11-14 for installation.
The partnership between the foundation and museum is about “fostering innovative learning experiences,” stated Taylor Corporation Chairman and founder Glen Taylor in a news release.
“This exhibit represents a captivating blend of modern agriculture, interactive exploration, and cultural heritage,” he said. “By enabling children to engage with the essence of agricultural practices, we hope to inspire a profound appreciation for our region’s farming legacy and the vital role it plays. Together, with the museum, we are excited to contribute to the growth and enrichment of our community’s educational landscape.”
The museum is thrilled to partner with the foundation to bring the exhibit to life, said Louise Dickmeyer, the museum CEO, in the release.
“Our aim is to provide children with a deeper understanding of the rich agricultural heritage of southern Minnesota,” she stated. “With its interactive elements and engaging design, the exhibit will inspire curiosity, spark imaginations and create lasting memories for our visitors.”
GreenSeam Director Sam Ziegler helped the collaboration happen and described the exhibit as a testament to the power of collaborative conversations and shared visions.
“Our discussions have come to fruition through this exhibit opening,” he stated. “This exhibit eloquently symbolizes our steadfast commitment to propelling the agricultural narrative forward within our region. We are proud to contribute to such an exhibit that represents the multifaceted GreenSeam region that boasts pork production and advanced tractor manufacturing.”
Click here to read the full article on The Free Press.
Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota announces Taylor Farm exhibit
/in GreenSeam NewsMANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) – Southern Minnesota’s vast fields of corn and soybeans are about to get their close-up.
A new exhibit, Taylor Farm, at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, kicks off in September.
Taylor Farm aims to provide a fun and educational experience, combining modern agriculture, playful exploration and innovation.
The exhibit will also allow children to experience modern Ag practices in the hopes of building a love for the region’s agricultural heritage.
The Taylor Farm exhibit will be open to the public Sept. 21.
Click here to read the full article on KEYC.
AGCO’s Jackson, Minnesota, Facility to Become Home of Fendt in North America with the Fendt Lodge Customer Experience Center
/in GreenSeam NewsAGCO Corporation (NYSE: AGCO), a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, announced today plans to transform its Jackson, MN, customer facility into the home of its Fendt ® brand in North America. Upon its grand opening in early 2024, a new customer experience center, called the Fendt Lodge , will become the brand’s center for customer visits, launch events, dealer meetings, factory tours, and corporate gatherings. Fendt’s Rogator ® applicator and track tractors, as well as other AGCO machinery, are currently manufactured in the Jackson facility’s manufacturing component.
“Fendt is intensely focused on customer experience excellence,” said Joe DiPietro, VP of Fendt NA. “The Fendt Lodge will provide an unparalleled opportunity for our customers, dealers, and team members to come together, learn from each other, and ensure that our solutions exceed their needs. It underscores Fendt’s strong commitment to North American farmers and the Jackson community itself, where Fendt machines roll off the line every day.”
Plans for the Fendt Lodge are still being finalized, but the vast center will occupy approximately 16,000 square feet. It is designed to be a home away from home for North American farmers and styled appropriately for one of agriculture’s most exciting and cutting-edge brands. Amenities will include a hands-on history center, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, sweeping views of the factory’s assembly line, and even a coffee bar and gift shop. Though the lodge will host frequent customer, dealer, and corporate gatherings, it will also be open to the public for visitor tours.
Fendt has grown rapidly in North America, with dealership locations opening throughout the US and Canada, swiftly increasing sales, and strong brand affinity among farmers of all sizes and types. The brand offers a complete lineup of farming solutions, including tractors, planters, combines, and applicators, that frequently win the industry’s top awards for innovation and engineering excellence.
“The opening of this new customer center aligns perfectly with our ‘Grow Bold’ theme,” said DiPietro. “Fendt offers farming’s most innovative and impressive solutions, and the Fendt Lodge will provide visitors with the same experience. We’re excited to welcome farmers home to the Fendt Lodge.”
Click here to read the full article on AGCO.
U.S. Secretary Tom Vilsack hosts roundtable on Ag investments
/in GreenSeam NewsMANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) – The Minnesota State Fair is under way and while a lot of attention goes toward the fun and entertainment – investments in agriculture remains a big part of the festivities.
On Monday, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will be traveling to Minnesota for a roundtable discussion.
Included in the meeting will be U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, State Agriculture Commissioner Thom Peterson as well as local producers, small businesses, and community leaders.
The roundtable discussion will highlight investments in rural infrastructure for the state and new income strategies for producers.
Click here to read the full article on KEYC.
Christensen Farms Donates 300 lbs. of Pork to South Central MN Food Recovery
/in GreenSeam NewsMANKATO, MN – GreenSeam’s annual Celebration of Ag took place on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at ISG Field in Mankato. Christensen Farms, a prominent supporter of GreenSeam, had a booth at the event. Due to all the Celebration of Ag attendees and fans at the Mankato MoonDogs game asking agricultural and pork related questions to Christensen Farms’ team, they pledged to donate 300 lbs. of pork to South Central MN Food Recovery.
“We are honored to be able to have the opportunity to support South Central MN Food Recovery again this year and donate enough ground pork for 1200 meals, providing a key source of high-quality wholesome protein for families and individuals in need.” said Amber Portner, Communications Manager at Christensen Farms.
South Central MN Food Recovery (SCMNFR) was developed in 2019 and is designed to provide nutritious meals to families in need by using high-quality food that would otherwise be going to the landfill. SCMNFR accepts large quantities of fresh produce and meats, makes them into ready-meals, and works with partners to distribute to people who are low-income and/or Black, Indigenous, or people of color.
Trisha Anderson at South Central MN Food Recovery expressed their gratitude: “South Central MN Food Recovery is grateful for the ongoing support from Christensen Farms and the generous donation of pork provided for the second year in a row. We appreciate the partnership with Sam at GreenSeam to connect us, once again, with the wonderful opportunities to collaborate with Christensen Farms to provide healthy resources to the communities we serve through South Central MN Food Recovery. We look forward to growing this partnership with GreenSeam and Christensen Farms so we can serve more members of our community!”
Sam Ziegler, Director of GreenSeam states, “With agriculture being the leading sector in our economy, it is great to see Christensen Farms not only raising pigs in our region, but to see them feeding families in southern MN. Within the GreenSeam region, our agricultural community continues to accept the challenge of growing food for a growing population. However, to overcome this challenge, we need to continue to foster local collaborations, such as this one, in our region to ensure we take care of those in need right here in our own backyard.”
Click here to read the full article on MankatoLIFE.
SCC receives funding from Metallica’s foundation
/in GreenSeam NewsNORTH MANKATO — A heavy metal band’s foundation recently awarded South Central College $100,000.
SCC is among 42 community colleges that are recipients of awards from California-based Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, a multimillion-dollar investment in critical workforce programs at community colleges nationwide.
“The Metallica Scholars Initiative is so important to us because we are seeing results. Five years in, with the help of community colleges across the country, we are helping people fill these essential jobs which require skills and training. We are so proud and grateful that we can facilitate this program,” Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, the band’s drummer and co-founder, stated in a press release.
“We are grateful to the Metallica Scholars Initiative for making scholarships available for these certificate programs, which enable students to become career-ready in their chosen field in a relatively short time period,” Annette Parker, president of South Central College, stated in the release. She said such programs help create an educated workforce with skills necessary to regional employers.
SCC was selected from a pool of applicants to receive funding to support students pursuing specific certificate programs in high-demand industries. The college will begin awarding the scholarships during the fall semester to new students pursuing advanced agriculture technician certificates at SCC’s North Mankato campus or machine tool technology “Right Skills Now” certificates at its Faribault campus.
More certificate programs will be eligible for the scholarship program in the spring semester.
Click here to read the full article on The Free Press.
Farmfest 2023 underway
/in GreenSeam NewsFarmfest 2023 is officially underway, and farmers and companies alike are discussing new developments and the future of Minnesota agriculture.
Click here to watch the full video on KEYC.