GreenSeam

04/07/2026

Please join us in welcoming Tim Huebsch as interim leader of GreenSeam! 🌱

With deep ties to southern Minnesota and nearly 25 years of leadership experience, Tim will help guide GreenSeam during this transition as the search for a permanent director moves forward.

Learn more: https://greenseam.org/greenseam-names-interim/

03/25/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us on National Ag Day for the release of the 2026 State of the Agricultural Ecosystem Report. 🌱

The event highlighted the importance of clear industry insight and perspective, which the report is designed to provide to inform decision-making across the ecosystem.

We appreciate the contributions from our speakers and partners who helped make this event and the report possible.

View the report: https://greenseam.org/sae/

Report Sponsors: CLA | Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation | Southwest Initiative Foundation

Research Partner: Minnesota State University, Mankato

Event Speakers:
Patrice Bailey, Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Kurt Blomgren: USDA Farm Service Agency of Minnesota
Joe Mahon: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

03/24/2026

The 2026 State of the Agricultural Ecosystem Report is now available. 🌱

Built from insights across Minnesota’s food and agriculture industries, the report outlines the challenges, priorities, and opportunities shaping agribusiness today. It's designed to help business leaders and policymakers better understand the current landscape and make more informed decisions moving forward.

This kind of insight is critical to building a stronger agricultural ecosystem.

Explore the report ➡ https://greenseam.org/sae

03/23/2026

Final call. 📣

The 2026 State of the Agricultural Ecosystem Report is being released tomorrow. Don’t miss your opportunity to hear the findings and insights shaping Minnesota’s food and ag industries.

Register today!

The State of the Agricultural Ecosystem Report is an annual study of Minnesota’s food and agricultural industry ecosystem, first created in 2020. Originally known as the State of Agriculture Report, it was renamed to highlight the interdependence of the wide range of industries that make up Minnes...

03/11/2026

Curious about what’s shaping the future of agriculture in our state? 🌱

Sam Ziegler of GreenSeam recently joined Lisa Kaye on Talk of the Town on KTOE to discuss the upcoming State of the Agricultural Ecosystem Report release event and what the latest insights mean for agribusiness across the state of Minnesota.

GreenSeam is hosting their State of the Agricultural Ecosystem Report. Sam Ziegler stops in to chat about the event! https://share.transistor.fm/s/d1f28cc2      

03/09/2026

Hear from leading voices in agriculture at the release of the 2026 State of the Agricultural Ecosystem Report. 🌱

Join us on National Ag Day, March 24, as speakers from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, USDA Farm Service Agency, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and AgriGrowth share perspectives on Minnesota’s agricultural industry.

Register today at ➡ https://greenseam.org/sae/

02/26/2026

HR professionals and business leaders gathered today at Pioneer Bank for a focused discussion on what’s ahead in employment law.

Through our joint program with Greater Mankato Growth, attendees explored 2026 updates, including Minnesota Paid Leave, ESST, break time requirements, and key case law developments impacting employers in our region.

Thank you to Cory Genelin of Gislason & Hunter LLP for sharing guidance that businesses can apply right away.

For companies operating in the food and ag ecosystem, a strong HR strategy is essential to growth. Programs like HR Connect create space for conversation and practical tools that help our regional businesses remain competitive and compliant.

To participate in the program and learn more visit ▶️ https://greenseam.org/hr-connect/

02/20/2026

Be the first to see what’s shaping Minnesota agriculture in 2026. 🌱

Join us on March 24 from 2 to 5 pm at the Maverick Innovation Gateway in Mankato for the State of the Agricultural Ecosystem Report release event. Hear the latest trends, explore key data, and network with others from across Minnesota’s food and ag industry

Register and learn more at https://greenseam.org/sae/

02/19/2026

Congratulations to Jerry Kopel of Hertz Farm Management, Inc., GreenSeam’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year! 👏

As Chair of our BRE Committee, Jerry has strengthened agribusiness across the region through leadership, connection, and deep industry expertise.

Join us in celebrating him on March 10 at the GMG, Inc. Annual Meeting!

We are proud to recognize Jerry Kopel of Hertz Farm Management, Inc. as GreenSeam’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year.

As Chair of GreenSeam’s Business Retention & Expansion Committee, Jerry has gone above and beyond to strengthen agribusiness across the region. He has helped shape the BRE program into an industry- and community-led initiative, personally connecting with dozens of agricultural businesses, from dairy leaders to alpaca farmers, ensuring they know they can rely on GreenSeam for expertise, partnership, and a strong regional network.

With more than 45 years of experience in banking, finance, and farm real estate, and deep roots in the GreenSeam region, Jerry understands that agriculture is the backbone of our local economy. His commitment to growing opportunities within the region truly embodies the mission of “Growing in the GreenSeam.”

Join us in celebrating Jerry at the 2026 Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. Annual Meeting, presented by Taylor Corporation, on Tuesday, March 10 from 11 am to 1 pm.

Register today: https://greatermankato.com/annual-meeting/

02/13/2026

Today is the final day to complete the State of the Agricultural Ecosystem survey. 🌱

If your work connects to Minnesota’s food and agriculture economy in any way, your experience deserves to be reflected in the data. Once the survey closes, additional responses cannot be included.

The survey takes only nine minutes to complete and helps create a clear picture of the economic and workforce realities businesses are facing across the state.

Take a few minutes today to ensure your perspective is represented. Please consider sharing this with others who should be included.

🔗: https://mnsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_01WNC2VWcrUsX9Y

02/12/2026

Two major ag tradeshows. One powerful region. 🌱

From Minnesota Ag Expo in January to Minnesota Pork Congress in February, the GreenSeam region once again took center stage for agriculture. When industry leaders, producers, and innovators gather here, it speaks volumes about the strength and concentration of agribusiness in our region.

The GreenSeam is where ag connects, grows, and leads.