For his first Farmfest as president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA), Ryan Mackenthun ditched the customary jeans, sneakers and a polo shirt for a suit and tie – at least temporarily.  

And for good reason: USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins kicked off the 2026 Farmfest by hosting a policy roundtable panel in MSGA’s booth. Mackenthun decided to err on the side of formal fashion when in the presence of a Trump cabinet official.  

“I truly appreciated the opportunity to represent soybean growers from across Minnesota and be given the opportunity to talk about them with Secretary Rollins,” Mackenthun said. “It’s a privilege to speak up on behalf of our producers.”  

Mackenthun, who farms in Brownton, was joined by leaders from across Minnesota agriculture for a 30-minute conversation with Secretary Rollins to discuss various issues and concerns facing farmers heading into the 2026 harvest. Mackenthun highlighted the importance of preserving the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USMCA) and MSGA and the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council’s joint efforts in expanding markets for Minnesota soybean farmers. He also thanked Secretary Rollins for recent federal actions supporting biofuels, including stronger Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs).  

“Thinking back to a year ago, we are feeling optimistic again,” Mackenthun told Secretary Rollins. “Our markets for biofuels are strong, and prices have begun to rebound.”  

Rollins, who spent summers on her family’s farm in Minnesota, also announced at Farmfest several steps that the USDA is taking to support America’s farmers in response to ongoing challenges across the agricultural sector. These actions include a series of data modernization, payment flexibility and enhanced crop insurance options to benefit farmers. 

“We’re modernizing how USDA serves farmers, providing common sense flexibility when it’s needed most, and strengthening the risk management tools producers depend on,” Secretary Rollins said.  

Following the panel, Secretary Rollins visited with Mackenthun and MSGA staff, posing for photos and gladly accepting a “Minnesoyta” pen.  

“Minnesoyta – I love it!” she said.  

The panel, which was sponsored by the Farm Journal Foundation, also featured Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler, Reps. Brad Finstad and Michelle Fischbach, House Ag Committee Vice Chair Austin Scott and USDA Under Secretary for Trade Luke Lindberg. Nearly 75 Farmfest attendees made their way inside MSGA’s booth to listen to the discussion.  

“It was an honor to host so many dignitaries from our industry,” Mackenthun said. “I think it shows that MSGA has earned a reputation as a group that is sought out for our advocacy and eagerness to engage with legislative leaders and regulatory officials, regardless of party affiliation.”   

Grower leaders – including past MSGA President and American Soybean Association Director Darin Johnson and ASA Directors Jamie Beyer, Jim Kukowski, Jeff Sorenson and Bob Worth, along with state Director Gary Schoenfeld – spent the three days of Farmfest visiting state and federal legislative candidates from across the spectrum, including U.S Senate candidates Angie Craig and Michelle Tafoya, gubernatorial candidate Amy Klobuchar, and dozens of state lawmakers. Gov. Tim Walz, visiting Farmfest for the final time as governor, also met with growers to discuss his administration’s accomplishments.  

“We appreciate the relationship we’ve built with Gov. Walz across his many years of public service, both in St. Paul and D.C.,” Worth said. “While we didn’t agree on every issue, we found common ground on many other policies. It was good to reminisce with him about how we’ve worked together during his legislative career.”  

By the end of Farmfest, Mackenthun had long since shed his formal attire for a casual Minnesoyta-branded hockey jersey and shorts. 

“That’s more my style at Farmfest,” he said.  

MSGA also promoted membership in its booth by highlighting recent policy wins, including the state of Minnesota’s recent withdrawal of the Clean Cars Rule. Directors also participated in over 20 interviews with media from across the country. 

Farmfest candidate forum draw large, lively crowds 

It was standing room only, and even that was limited, during the highly anticipated Farmfest candidate forums in the Wick Building. With a Minnesota Soybean billboard in the background, both the Minnesota Governor and U.S. Senate Candidate Forums lived up to the hype, drawing lively crowds in what was an important stop on the campaign trail just a few days before the Aug. 11 primary.  

Moderated by WCCO Radio’s Blois Olson, the Minnesota Governor candidate forum featured Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, considered the DFL favorite, alongside the top three Republican governor candidates: Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, businessman Mike Lindell, and Army veteran Kendall Qualls.  

Candidates were challenged on topics such as connecting the divide between rural and urban Minnesota, animal agriculture, the state’s permitting process, biofuels and property taxes. However, as the conversation evolved into more controversial topics like immigration, fraud, healthcare, the crowd broke into cheers and boos while the candidates kept it mostly civil and respectful.   

“I showed up a few minutes late and couldn’t even get into the building,” Mackenthun said. “But I feel confident knowing that whoever becomes governor that MSGA will be able to maintain a strong relationship with moving forward.” 

The U.S. Senate Candidate forum, which was moderated by Mark Dorenkamp of Brownfield Ag News, drew just as large of an audience and an even more spirited debate amongst the top two Democratic and top two Republican candidates. Vying for the seat currently held by outgoing U.S. Senator Tina Smith are Democratic Congresswoman Angie Craig and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan on the Democratic ticket; journalist Michelle Tafoya and Royce White, a former professional basketball player, are campaigning on the Republican side.  

Candidates were asked to share their thoughts on topics relating to low commodity prices, the Farm Bill, trade, labor, health insurance, land use for solar and AI facilities and more. 

“We’re extremely fortunate to be able to gather together here and to have people who represent this state and are available to answer questions that impact all of you in attendance in some way, shape or form,” Dorenkamp said. “It’s something really special we have here at Farmfest in southwest Minnesota.” 

The candidate forums were sponsored by the Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture.