The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) and Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) will visit with the state’s northern farmers during their return to the annual Prairie Grains Conference Dec. 13-14, in Grand Forks, N.D.

During Wednesday’s agenda, MSR&PC and MSGA will hold a joint regional county update with the state’s northern organized county organizations. During the conference, the Council will be represented by Directors Kris Folland and Ben Storm, along with CEO Tom Slunecka and Director of Research David Kee. MSGA President Bob Worth and lobbyist Cory Bennett are also attending to preview the 2024 Legislative Session and hear from northern Minnesota farmers on the issues affecting growers in the region.

“As someone who farms in far northwestern Minnesota, I know how important it is to attend Prairie Grains and visit with the growers in our region to get a sense of how the year went, while also looking ahead to the upcoming growing season,” said Folland, who farms in Kittson County. “For the Council, it’s also critical for us to continue having a strong presence in this region.”

Minnesota Soybean will be stationed on the trade show floor in Booth #47. The Ag Innovation Campus, the Crookston crush facility supported by the Council and MSGA, will be in Booth #46.

Checkoff-supported research is a key component of the Prairie Grains Conference. On Thursday, the Council and Kee will host the annual Soybean Reporting Session, which will feature key takeaways from seven checkoff-funded projects. University of Minnesota Breeder Aaron Lorenz is also hosting a breakout session Thursday on The Future of Soybean Breeding and Genetics.

“This conference is a great chance for us to look back on the past year in agronomic issues and speak with farmers about their challenges and concerns,” Kee said. “Prairie Grains also gives us the opportunity to show how checkoff projects have progressed over the past year.”