The Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture welcomed over 350 attendees at its fourth-annual Ag Day Gala on National Ag Day, March 18. 

The event took place at the North End Event Center on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, uniting agriculturalists to honor the broad range of farming and ranching practices in Minnesota and the essential role the sector plays in the state's economic growth.

“We have a reason to celebrate, as Minnesota ranks as one of the top five states in the nation in agriculture production” said Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture Director, Ruth Linkenmeyer-Meirick. “It’s a great day to celebrate the rich history and future of agriculture and all those who contribute to our community by providing food, fiber and fuel to the world.”

The night began with a reading of the 2025 Minnesota Ag Day Proclamation from the state’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Thom Peterson, a welcome address from Brandon Sawalich of Starkey Hearing, and milk salute from 71st Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Rachel Visser. 

Additional dinner speakers included Foundation Director, Ruth Meirick and Foundation Chair Dan Glessing, who both touched on updates to the Foundation including a rebranding effort, the establishment of a governing board of directors, and highlights on how these changes will not hinder but increase the positive impact the Foundation makes in the agriculture community. 

The night concluded with both a live and online auction, raising nearly $12,500 for the Foundation.

The appetizers and main meal all featured items sourced from Minnesota companies, including:

 

AMPI, New Ulm

Autumnwood Farms, Forest Lake

Blondies Butcher Shop, Wanamingo

Cannon Belles, Cannon Falls

Compart Family Farms, Nicollet

Dairy Queen, Bloomington

Eichten’s Cheese, Center City

George’s City Meats, Nicollet

Greg’s Meats, Cannon Falls

Little Red Dairy, Theilman

Ollie Grace Cookies, Elk River

Prairie Organic Spirits, Phillips Distilling, Princeton

Revol Greens, Owatonna

S&S Meat, Grand Rapids

Swanson Meats, Minneapolis

Various MN Vineries

 

A special thank you to all of the sponsors who made the day possible:

 

Presenting Sponsor: Starkey Hearing

Dinner Sponsor: Compeer Financial 

Table Gift Sponsor: Farm Bureau Financial Services

Social Hour Sponsors: Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture

Signature Drink Sponsor: Prairie Organic Spirits

Entertainment Sponsor: Minnesota Farm Bureau

Photo Lounge Sponsor: Kowalski's Markets

Floral Sponsor: Enbridge and Len Busch Roses

Table Wine Sponsor: Minnesota Grape Growers Association

Milk Salute Sponsor: Midwest Dairy

Dessert Sponsors: Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association; American Crystal Sugar Company; Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative; Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative

 

Foundation Partners: CHS, Chisago County Farm Bureau, Grassland Solutions, Hormel, Land O'Lakes Inc., Meeker County Farm Bureau, Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, Minnesota Grape Growers Association, Minnesota Soybean, Research & Promotion Council, Riverview LLP, Stearns County Farm Bureau, University of Minnesota , University of Minnesota – CFANS, Washington/Ramsey County Farm Bureau, Wilson & Sons Field Services

 

Foundation Friends: Anoka County Farm Bureau , AURI, Canadian Consulate, Compart Family Farms, GreenSeam, IDEAg Group, Hennepin County Farm Bureau, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Minnesota Beef Council, Minnesota Department of Agriculture , Minnesota Pork Producers, Minnesota State Fair Foundation, R.D. Offutt Company, Renville County Farm Bureau, Steffes Auctioneering, Swanson Foods, USDA - NRCS