Urban Ag Conference


 2025 Urban Ag Conference Registration


Event Address: St. Paul College City View Cafe, 235 Marshall Ave, St. Paul

Parking: Parking will be available for free in the adjoining lot to the campus building.

Cost: Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, this event is free for all attendees. Registration is required to help with meal planning.

Schedule (subject to change)

9 a.m. – Registration Opens

9:30 a.m. – Welcome

9:45 a.m. – Knowledge Share and Networking
Tabling organizations include: University of Minnesota Extension, USDA, Farm Business Management, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

11 a.m. – Panel – How to be an Advocate
A lot of decisions are made by elected officials that impact urban agriculture, including zoning, water restrictions, etc. Hear from a panel of legislative representatives on tips of how to connect with your elected officials to share your story and help shape policies affecting your community. 
Featured panelists include:

  • Grace Rude, Public Health Specialist, Homegrown Minneapolis
  • Maikao Vue, office of Sen. Foung Hawj

Noon – Lunch and Networking

1 p.m. – Panel – Growing the Next Generation
For agriculture to thrive into the future, it’s important to engage the next generation, and develop a plan to keep them farming. Hear from leaders engaging youth in schools and the community for strategies to get the next generation active in agriculture.
Featured panelists include:

  • Michael Chaney, Project Sweetie Pie
  • Michael Luseni, Minneapolis Public Schools
  • Mesay Doyamo, Ag Instructor, Willmar Public Schools
  • Elijah Doyamo, University of Minnesota CFANS student

2 p.m. – Panel – Making Your Urban Farm Economically Viable
Building and supporting local food systems and economies is an important part of urban farms. Learn what farmers can do outside of produce to help sustain their farms and develop additional revenue streams. 
Featured panelists include:

  • Friendly Vang-Johnson, Minnesota Farmers Market Association and Friendly Hmong Farms

3 p.m. – Closing Remarks

3:15 p.m. – Optional Knowledge Share and Networking
Tabling organizations include: University of Minnesota Extension, USDA, Farm Business Management, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 


Thank you to our 2025 sponsors! 

Gold
Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture

Silver
Friendly Hmong Farms
Tamales y Bicicletas Urban Farm

Bronze
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
USDA Farm Service Agency of Minnesota

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email Rachel Reisig, rachel.reisig@fbmn.org to learn more.

The inaugural Urban Ag Conference took place on January 13, 2024 on the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities St. Paul campus. It was a capacity crowd, with over 130 attendees connecting with local and state leaders on the issues facing those involved in urban agriculture and food systems, including land access, water access, funding and more.

Recordings of the three afternoon panel discussions are available on our YouTube playlist. 


large group of people networking at tables during conference

The conference was made possible by a grant from the USDA Urban, Indoor and other Emerging Agricultural Production Research, Education and Extension Initiative (UIE).