Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence

06/03/2026

What a fantastic day at Ag Education Day at the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota! 🌱🚜

We had the opportunity to connect with children and families from across the region while sharing the importance of agriculture and farm safety through hands-on activities and interactive learning experiences.

This event would not have been possible without the incredible students who volunteered their time and talents. A huge thank you to six Minnesota 4-H / UMN Extension 4-H Plant Sciences Ag Ambassadors and two UMN Extension Blue Earth County 4-H Ambassadors who helped lead activities and create a fun, welcoming experience for every child who stopped by. Their enthusiasm and leadership made the day a tremendous success!

We were also excited to have Joel Hansen, Agriculture Instructor at South Central College, join us with pig and chicken anatomy models that quickly became a favorite attraction for many of the kids.

And a special thank you to MN Soybean Research & Promotion Council for donating soy crayons, which were put to great use with our brand-new agriculture-themed coloring sheets!

Ag Education Day is all about tracing the incredible journey of our...

06/02/2026

🚨PRESS RELEASE🚨

🚜 A major farm transition wave is coming in Minnesota.

Results from our just released 2025–2026 Minnesota Farm Transition Survey show:

• ✅ Over 90% of producers plan to transition their farms
• ⏳ 70% hope to start within the next 7 years
• ⚠️ Nearly 1 in 4 don’t yet know who will take over
• 🔍 Top barriers include family dynamics, financial complexity, and uncertainty about where to begin

With a major transition wave approaching, the need for practical, hands-on support has never been greater. Producers are asking for workshops, trusted advisors, and guidance navigating legal and financial decisions.

We’re committed at the Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence to help farm families turn intention into action by providing them key resources.

🔗 Read our full press release, learn more and explore farm transition resources at https://centerofagriculture.org/farm-transition/

Farm Business Management

05/30/2026

Ag Day at Bridgewater Elementary School brings curiosity to life!

Each year, this highly anticipated event comes together thanks to the dedication of Northfield FFA and Northfield Public Schools .
Thank you to the Northfield FFA for investing in our students and strengthening the connection between education, agriculture, and our community.
Watch the video to see the impact of Ag Day in action.


Tri-City United Ag-Education and FFA Midwest Machinery Co. Dassel-Cokato FFA Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Northfield Public Schools Bridgewater Elementary School UMN Extension Rice County 4-H Dakota County 4-H

The Elementary Ag Day at Bridgewater Elementary School is an annual educational event organized by the Northfield FFA (Future Farmers of America) to teach lo...

05/29/2026

To cap off our week of Rural Mental Health spotlights and bring Mental Health Awareness Month to a close, we are honored to feature Jennifer Vaughn.

Jennifer’s dedication to supporting rural individuals, families, and agricultural communities continues to make a lasting impact across Minnesota. Through compassion, outreach, and advocacy, she helps ensure that mental health conversations and resources remain accessible to those who need them most.

Thank you to Jennifer, Monica, and Tracie for the incredible work they do every day to strengthen and support rural communities.

05/27/2026

Keeping up the pace of our Rural Mental Health spotlight series, today we are featuring Tracie Rutherford Self!

Dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of individuals, families, and agricultural communities, Tracie continues to make a meaningful impact through advocacy, education, and compassionate support.

Thank you, Tracie!

05/26/2026

Last week, we teamed up with Blue Earth Area ISD 2860 FFA at its end of year school carnival. We focused on ag and farm safety topics. We showed this young farmer our gravity wagon exhibit. About 10 minutes later, he came running back with two friends as he wanted to share with them what he learned.

The impact of our ag safety lessons surely was felt as this person shared what he just learned with his friends. Watch this video and turn up your sound! 🌽🌱

05/25/2026

Mental Health Awareness Month is winding down, but the need for community support, mental health equity, and stress management in agricultural communities continues year-round. Farmers and rural residents often face unique barriers to care, making strong local support systems more important than ever.

To honor this month, we are featuring three incredible Minnesota Rural Mental Health Specialists throughout the week. Stay tuned as we highlight the professionals making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities across rural Minnesota.

We’re kicking off our spotlight series with Monica McConkey!

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. 🇺🇸

In agriculture, we understand the value of hard work, service, resilience, and community. The same qualities shared by those who served our nation with courage and dedication. As families gather and fields continue to grow, we are reminded that the freedoms we enjoy each day were made possible through their sacrifice.

Today, we remember and give thanks to all who gave their lives in service to our country.

05/22/2026

Each spring, Minnesota 4-H and the Minnesota State Fair partner to host an incredible educational field trip experience at the State Fairgrounds. Through this event industry partners, youth leaders and Minnesota 4-H Ag Ambassadors help connect more than 1,400 Minneapolis and St. Paul third-grade students to agriculture, farming, and food systems in meaningful and engaging ways.

A huge shoutout to Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors, Alumni, & Friends Liv, Lucas, Avery, Abi, Abby, and Hailey for absolutely shining in their Minnesota 4-H Ag Ambassador roles while helping spotlight our Ag Safety exhibits including grain bin safety, auger safety, chemical safety, ATV safety, and gravity wagon safety.

Your leadership, mentorship, professionalism, and ability to connect with young learners made a tremendous impact throughout the day and beyond. Thank you for representing agriculture and agricultural safety so well!

And, let's not forget to thank Minnesota Beef, West Central Cattlemen, and Culver's and more for the delicious lunch. What a great way to end the day!

Each spring, the Minnesota State Fair partners with Minnesota FFA a...