Agriculture is a foundation of the GreenSeam Region economy. It is best put into perspective when you drive between communities in the early fall and see the activity in vast crop fields, specialty food facilities and livestock farms. The production of these agricultural raw materials spurs economic activity across a multitude of industries. Agriculture is a growth segment of the economy for a simple reason: world population growth multiplied by the increase in incomes worldwide equals greater demand for better diets.
Economy & Agritainment
Economy Overview
The GreenSeam region is economically healthy and stable for growth.
Gross Regional Product (GRP)
The Gross Regional Product of the region speaks strongly about the strong work ethic and potential in the GreenSeam region
Region Exports
When peeking underneath the stats, you will find that strong exports are tied to agribusiness especially in manufacturing and crop production
- Southern Minnesota Children’s Museum:
- Ag focused educational and learning resource for families, including a 2,000 square foot indoor Grow It Gallery, Farmyard and Back Forty outdoor learning environments, and Seed to Table Café and outdoor courtyard will bring families face to face with the real story of agriculture
- Wineries:
- Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery, Indian Island Winery and Morgan Creek Vineyards
- Doppeleichen Vineyards
- Farmamerica:
- Minnesota’s Agricultural Interpretive Center devoted to providing education about Minnesota’s agricultural past, present and future
- Minnesota Farmfest:
- Hosted in Redwood County, national agricultural exhibitor show
- LeSueur County Pioneer Power:
- agricultural celebration event
- County Fairs:
- Ag machinery displays, livestock competitions, baked goods and agricultural contests
Education
Top Program Completions
And the region speaks of highly educated and motivated workforce in all sectors
2016 Educational Attainment
More than half of the population has some college or more pointing to a very well educated workforce
- Agricultural Symposium:
- at South Central College, has more than 450 attendees annually
- FFA Career Development Events:
- at South Central College – hosting annually 1,000 plus high school students from 25 plus high schools with a passion for Agriculture engaged in Premier Leadership, Personal Growth & Career Success
- MN Association of Agricultural Educators:
- Professional Growth Conference & Annual Meetings hosted in Mankato/North Mankato; 250+ educators attend annually
- Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education Institute:
- For the past four years, South Central College has hosted a national professional development for educators to learn about how to effectively teach Ag, Food & Natural Resources, 10 day/80 hour development event, training 65 educators from 15 states on CASE since 2010
- MN Risk Management Conference:
- held at the Verizon Wireless Center by the Center for Farm Financial Management, University of MN; has more than 650 attendees annually
- Minnesota Ag Expo:
- Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) and the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) bring together Minnesota’s farmers, the top ag researchers from institutions like the University of Minnesota, and leading agribusiness companies
Workforce
Population
Within the GreenSeam region, we have over 400,000 people of working age and it has been fairly stable.
Jobs by Industry
While government statistics don’t adequate designate what is ag related within these segments, ag business is so strong in the area it is directly tied to manufacturing, wholesale trade, transportation, retail, health and professional segments
Ag Stats
- Crop and Animal Production in 2016: 15,304 jobs
- Crop and Animal Production in 2014: $2,752,255,865.02 (10% of total GRP)
Transportation
- Class 1 Railroads: BNSF, UP, CP
- Short Line Railroads: Twin Cities & Western Railroad, MN Prairie Line
- River Access: Commercial traffic
- Airlines:
- Local: Mankato Regional Airport
- Regional (within two hours of): SiouxFalls, DeMoines, Twin Cities, Rochester
- Highways: Interstates, 4-Lane State Highways
