The Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture welcomed 330 attendees at its fifth annual Ag Day Gala on National Ag Day, March 24. 

 

The event took place at the North End Event Center on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and brought together agriculturalists across the state to honor farming and ranching in Minnesota and the impactful role the sector plays in the state's economic growth.

 

“Minnesota is such a diverse and abundant agricultural state,” says Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture Director, Ruth Linkenmeyer-Meirick “And what better way to celebrate than gathering around a table and enjoying a meal with friends, family and agricultural champions, all on National Agriculture Day.”

 

The Gala began with emcees Caitlin Keck and Fran Miron welcoming attendees, and continued with the reading of the 2026 Minnesota Ag Day Proclamation from the state’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Thom Petersen, followed by welcome addresses from Brandon Sawalich of Starkey Hearing and Paul Kohls of Compeer Financial. The program also featured a special milk salute from 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Malorie Thorson.

 

Additional dinner speakers included Foundation Chair Dan Glessing and Vice Chair Carolyn Olson, who both touched on updates to the Foundation and about the positive impact the Foundation makes in the agriculture community.

 

The night concluded with both a live and online auction, raising nearly $10,000 for the Foundation.