GreenSeam Announces Keynote for 37th Annual Rural Forum

/0 Comments/in , , /by

GreenSeam Announces Keynote for 37th Annual Rural Forum

MANKATO, Minn. (September 18, 2019) The Rural Forum is set for December 5, 2019. This year’s forum entitled “Navigating Perspectives” will be held from 4 – 9 pm at the Mankato Civic Center Ballroom at 1 Civic Center Plaza.

The premier annual reception and dinner event joins key public leaders with a wide range of attendees – farmers, professionals from ag and business, college students, ag organizations and more – when it comes to rural Minnesota nearly everyone is connected to agriculture in some way. This Forum provides an opportunity to have important conversations about the key issues facing the rural economy and potential solutions.

Hear from Governor Tim Walz, the Minnesota FFA, key Minnesota Legislators and our keynote speaker, Rick Berman:

Richard “Rick” Berman, President, Berman and Company, a Washington, DC-based public affairs firm specializing in research, communications, and creative advertising.

In 1987, Rick Berman founded Berman and Company, a full-service research and communications firm. Prior to that Rick was employed as an attorney for Bethlehem Steel, The Dana Corporation, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as well as Executive Vice President for Pillsbury.

Berman and Company consistently excels in getting its clients’ and donor messages placed before the public through aggressive media outreach. Berman and Company spokespeople regularly appear on television and radio programs and place over 350 Opinion Editorials in major newspapers every year. Rick and his firm have been extensively profiled for their work in a variety of media outlets including CNBC, CNN, 60 Minutes, the Colbert Report, Rachel Maddow, TIME, the Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and USA Today.

Berman and Company takes a creative approach to advocacy and is frequently honored for its unique style. Issue advocacy through paid media, internet, TV, radio, and street theater have earned Berman over 180 national awards for creative messaging. Millions of people access Berman-created websites annually. These sites raise awareness and “Change the Debate” on public policy issues. More >>

 

 

For more details please visit greenseam.org/forum19

To be a part of the discussion, sponsor a portion of the event or register for a table or individual ticket(s), please click here.

We are looking forward to seeing this event grow and addressing complicated issues we all face.

 

 

About GreenSeam, LLC


The GreenSeam is a grassroots initiative, created by countless businesses and professionals from southern Minnesota and northern Iowa and lead by Greater Mankato Growth. This initiative exists to build on existing ag business prominence maximizing a growing economic marketplace in order to be the premier ag business epicenter in the United States – the most diverse, balanced and sustainable. It is a place that is agriculturally relevant, responsive and diverse. Learn more at greenseam.org.

 

About Greater Mankato Growth, Inc.

Greater Mankato Growth (GMG) is committed to advancing business for a stronger community. As the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organization serving the regional marketplace, GMG advances business through existing business support, new business growth, business promotion, talent development, public affairs, community marketing, visitor attraction and servicing and civic engagement. Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. also includes three LLCs: Visit Mankato, which focuses on visitor attraction and servicing, the City Center Partnership, LLC, which focuses on development in the City Center and GreenSeam, LLC .

###

 

Contacts:
Sam Ziegler, 507.385.6672
sziegler@greenseam.org

GreenSeam to Conduct State of Ag Focus Groups

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

GreenSeam to Conduct State of Ag Focus Groups


MANKATO, Minn. (June 6, 2019) — Make your voice heard by participating in the first ever State of Ag, conducted by GreenSeam. The State of Ag is a comprehensive survey of Minnesota’s agribusinesses and related businesses. It reveals the perceptions and opinions on the economy and other major issues impacting ag businesses, with an emphasis on education and talent attraction and retention. GreenSeam needs business leaders, human resources professionals and executive level professionals to provide their expertise and insights. 

The State of Ag will be five focus groups held in the GreenSeam on June 19th and 20th at the following locations:

  • Austin, Wednesday, June 19 from 11 am – 12 pm at Town Center Building in Austin, Lower Level Conference Room (329 N. Main St.)
  • Fairmont, Wednesday, June 19 from 2:30 – 3:30 pm at Southern MN Educational Campus at 115 Park Street South (Room 112)
  • Faribault, Wednesday, June 19 from 8 – 9 am at the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce Carlander Room (530 Wilson Ave. NW)
  • Mankato, Thursday, June 20 from 2 – 3 pm at ISG in downtown Mankato (115 E Hickory St #300 / 3rd Floor)
  • Marshall, Thursday, June 20 from 10 – 11 am at the Red Baron Arena & Expo Club Room (1651 Victory Dr.)

 

Participants will be asked to share challenges and solutions your businesses face each day. The focus groups will provide a strong reach of southern Minnesota and will be supported by a follow-up survey. GreenSeam is looking to capture both the concerns and opportunities businesses are looking at today and long-term.

The results of this research will help give our agriculture industry and rural Minnesota a much-needed competitive advantage. With access to the knowledge of leaders and more information, we can properly address the challenges employers have today and prepare for their future needs. The information we collect regarding talent needs will be shared with our educational partners to ensure our education system is on track. This will also allow the GreenSeam to further define the full breadth of agriculture.

GreenSeam is asking for individuals who represent the following business classifications. Food & Beverage, Livestock, Agronomy / Crop Science, Agri-Services / Business, Transportation / Energy, and Professional Services to attend.

Tom Mason of Mason Public Affairs will lead the focus groups and ask you to share your opinions about the workforce shortage in agriculture, potential solutions while also diving into several other important components of your business.  If you see your business connect these please join.

We hope to see you at this focus group and if you have any immediate questions, please call or email Sam Ziegler, Director of GreenSeam, at 507.385.6672 or sziegler@greenseam.org

Thank you to our sponsors, Ardent Mills, Bremer Bank, Crystal Valley Coop and Southern Minnesota Center of Agriculture. Thank you also to our community hosts; Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce, Development Corporation of Austin, Fairmont Economic Development, Marshall Economic Development Authority and Greater Mankato Growth.

 

About GreenSeam, LLC

GreenSeam is a grassroots initiative, created by countless businesses and professionals from southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. This initiative exists to build on existing ag business prominence maximizing a growing economic marketplace in order to be the premier ag business epicenter in the United States – the most diverse, balanced and sustainable. It is a place that is agriculturally relevant, responsive and diverse. GreenSeam is a business unit of Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. (GMG). Learn more at greenseam.org.

###

 

Contacts:
Sam Ziegler, 507.385.6672
sziegler@greenseam.org

GreenSeam Included in the Ag Omnibus Bill

/0 Comments/in , /by

GreenSeam Included in the Ag Omnibus Bill

MANKATO, Minn. (May 30, 2019) — The Omnibus Agriculture, Housing and Rural Development Bill was signed today by Governor Walz. The bill includes $75,000 in support of GreenSeam for the purpose of “assistance to ag related businesses to promote jobs, innovation and development of a synergy.”

Agriculture remains the bedrock of rural communities in the GreenSeam. More than 950 agriculture associated businesses – everything from transportation and distribution to professional services, ag-related manufacturing and processing, and research and education – employ nearly 100,000 individuals across southern Minnesota and represent $36 billion in economic activity.

Agribusiness can be the catalyst to revitalize rural Minnesota, however it will take dedicated and coordinated public and private effort. GreenSeam is focused on driving economic growth through agriculture by branding the ag industry cluster of southern Minnesota to make it the “Silicon Valley of Ag,” connecting talent with employers and supporting business expansion and retention. State recognition and support of GreenSeam is greatly appreciated and will help propel our 5-year $2.8 million initiative forward.

David Krause, Chairman of GreenSeam stated, “On behalf of GreenSeam, I would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to Governor Walz and Agriculture Commissioner Petersen, Chief Authors of the GreenSeam legislation Sen. Nick Frentz and Rep. Todd Lippert; and Co-Authors Rep. Jeff Brand, Rep. Jeanne Poppe, Rep. Rod Hamilton, Rep. Joe Schomacker, Sen. Rich Draheim, Sen. Michael Goggin and Sen. Andrew Lang.”

“I think rural Minnesota needs state government to be a strong partner.  Right now, we need to be supporting agriculture and farmers in any way we can.  I’m excited about GreenSeam’s innovative vision for a bright future for agriculture in Southern Minnesota.  It only makes sense that the state of Minnesota and GreenSeam will be working together.” Said Representative Todd Lippert.

Senator Nick Frentz said, “We are all very proud to see the State of Minnesota deliver this funding to GreenSeam, but even more proud of the strong vote of confidence that it represents.  We look forward to working with all our partners in agriculture to fulfill the full potential of GreenSeam.”

“This is a big day for GreenSeam!” said Sam Ziegler, Director of GreenSeam. “The commitment the State of Minnesota has made to GreenSeam is a key to the success of rural Minnesota and agriculture. We’re grateful our elected leaders understand the impact of agriculture and the drivers of future economic growth in our region.”

About GreenSeam, LLC

GreenSeam is a grassroots initiative, created by countless businesses and professionals from southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. This initiative exists to build on existing ag business prominence maximizing a growing economic marketplace in order to be the premier ag business epicenter in the United States – the most diverse, balanced and sustainable. It is a place that is agriculturally relevant, responsive and diverse. GreenSeam is a business unit of Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. (GMG). Learn more at greenseam.org.

###

 

Contacts:
Sam Ziegler, 507.385.6672
sziegler@greenseam.org
Senator Frentz, 651.296.6153
sen.nick.frentz@senate.mn
Representative Lippert, 651.296.0171
rep.todd.lippert@house.com