Staff photo by Fritz Busch Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, center, answers media questions outside the Wick Buildings Farmfest Center at a 2023 Farmfest Forum.

MORGAN — The 2025 Farmfest featuring more than 400 agricultural vendors begins at 8 a.m., Tuesday Aug. 5 at Gilfillan Estate, several miles northwest of Morgan.

Forums begin at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday with farm succession planning in the Wick building. An artificial intelligence forum begins at 9:30 a.m.

Farm Management Analyst Kent Thiesse, who has been leading the forums for many years, talked about current farm issues.

“Ag trade issues, the large reconciliation bill recently passed by Congress, the future of renewable energy, and workforce development initiatives will be among key topics in forums,” said Thiesse.

He said the forum at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, “developing a reliable safety ag policy net” will include four members of Minnesota’s Congressional delegation–U.S. House Ag Committee Ranking Member Rep. Angie Craig, U.S. House Ag Committee Rep. Brad Finstad, U.S. House Ways & Means Committee Rep. Michelle Fischbach and U.S. House 8th District Rep. Pete Stauber.

“The forum will include discussions on Title I and crop insurance provisions in the recently passed Reconciliation Bill plus future prospects for passing a new Farm Bill and the possible need for another round of farm economic assistance later this year,” Thiesse said.

He said U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Minnesota Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen will headline the 1:15 p.m. feature forum “building a sustainable future for Midwest agriculture.”

The panel will be joined by Delta Airlines Sustainable Aviation Fuel Director Charlotte Lollar, Minnesota Sustainable Aviation Fuel Hub Vice President Julia Sivis and Minnesota Farm Bureau President Dan Glessing and Farmers Union President Gary Wertish.

“The forum will focus on current economic challenges facing crop and livestock producers, enhancing support for beginning farmers, the future direction of conservation and carbon sequestration programs plus the current status of E15 ethanol, sustainable aviation fuel, the clean fuel production credit for low emission transportation fuel producers and other renewable energy initiatives.

New Farmfest wrinkles this year include skid steer rodeos, a newly-expanded kid zone, live music and entertainment from noon to 4 p.m. daily.

Skid steer rodeos will be held 1:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 5-6 and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7. Participants should go booth 706, and be demo area 10 minutes before starting time of the timed event.

Contestants will be drawn to determine which loader they use and sponsors Kibble Equipment, Ziegler Ag, Sanco Equipment and Prime Attachments will brief them on skid steer controls.

A newly-expanded kid zone was created for kids to create seed art, read books, play in a corn pit, blow bubbles and play yard games. Kids pedal pulls for 4-11 year olds begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 11 a.m. Thursday.

The music and entertainment tent will be open noon to 4 p.m. daily on 7th Street, by Roadhouse and the new skid steer rodeo.

A new corn maze in the located in the southwest corner of the show.

The 2025 Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year will be selected at 10:45 a.m. Thursday in the Wick forum building. Finalists are Haley Eckstrom, Odin; Kayla Cohrs, Glencoe; Kris Huebsch, New York Mills; Holly Saehr, Pierz; and Noreen Thomas, Dilworth.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture hosts a free nitrate private well testing clinic at booth 517S. Collect at least one cup of water in any sealable container such as a jar or Ziploc bag. Keep it chilled if possible. Testing takes just five minutes. Results are private. No personal information is collected.

Admission is $10 at the gate, $8 in advance purchased online. Kids 17 and under are free.

For more information, visit Farmfest.com.