State of Agriculture

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Join Us at the State of Agriculture Presented by Invenergy!

The annual State of Agriculture Presented by Invenergy event is hosted each July by the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce. Our event brings together producers, agribusiness leaders, and community members for an engaging conversation about the current agriculture landscape in our region and beyond.

This interactive panel discussion features industry experts and local leaders who share insights on market trends, innovation, policy, challenges, and opportunities impacting agriculture today. Guided by a facilitator, the conversation encourages meaningful dialogue and audience engagement while highlighting the vital role agriculture plays in our community and economy. Join us for an informative and forward-looking discussion on the ever-evolving state of agriculture!

Event Information
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
11:45am to 1:00pm

Lyon County Fairgrounds - Hoop Barn
504 Fairgrounds Road, Marshall, MN 56258

11:45am to 12:00pm
Registration and Lunch
12:00pm to 12:50pm
Interactive Panel
12:50pm to 1:00pm
Q&A Session

Who Can Attend
All are welcome to attend! Business and community members are invited to hear from a panel of agriculture experts on the current agriculture economy and where they foresee things heading in the near future. This also includes a Q&A session if time allows.

Cost
$18 for Chamber Members
$23 for Non-Chamber Members
Lunch is included in cost. Please let us know ahead of time any dietary allergies or restrictions.

State of Agriculture Event

Official Facebook Event

Meet Your Facilitator & Panelists

Facilitator
More to come.

Kent Thiesse, Panelist
Kent Thiesse is a Farm Management Analyst based in South Central Minnesota with extensive experience in agriculture, farm finance, and education. He retired in 2023 after a 20-year career as Vice President and Chief Ag Loan Officer for MinnStar Bank in Lake Crystal, Minnesota. Prior to that, Kent served as an Extension Educator in Farm Management and Marketing with the University of Minnesota Extension Service. He holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Agriculture from the University of Minnesota. Kent also writes the weekly “FOCUS ON AG” column, is a frequent speaker on farm management topics, and serves as Coordinator for the Feature Forums at FARMFEST each year.

Jack Long, Panelist
More to come.

Carolyn Olson, Panelist
More to come.