On Tuesday, October 15, members of the North Central NAMA Chapter gathered for a full day of Ag tours and education.  The group started out at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture where Assistant Commissioner, Charlie Poster, and International Trade Program Manager, Christina Connelly, gave us an overview of Minnesota agriculture and our global impact.  Some of their current initiatives are developing an awareness of the value-add that Ethanol brings to corn production and working with urban representatives to help them better understand the challenges and needs of rural agriculture.

The group then visited the University of Minnesota Beef Research Farm in Rosemount, MN, where Dr. Alfredo DiCostanzo, Professor of Beef Cattle Nutrition and Management, provided some general background on cattle production and the impact of their educational and research programs.  The group got to visit the barns and get an up-close view of the livestock.

The group then visited a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), Bridgewater Produce, where we had a light lunch and listened to owner, John Larson, tell us about the function of CSA’s and what they grow at their farm.  Members got to browse the farm and see the various ways the CSA conducts their operation.

We were then hosted by Adam Norby, Sales Representative, in a tour of the John Deere SEMA Dealership in Northfield, MN, where members learned about equipment service and sales.  Afterwards, we split up into small groups and toured local farms where members had an opportunity to speak directly to farmers, learn about their operations and ask questions.  Some of our members even got to ride in some of the equipment.  It was a great day for all participants!