In 2020, Redwood County led the way and was No. 1 in Minnesota for soybean production totals, with a total of 11.3 million bushels of soybeans, and an average of 55.9 bushels per acre. No. 2 in corn production, Redwood County was just under 49.5 million bushels, with 202.8 bushels per acre.
Minnesota’s growing season varies depending on where you are in the state: 100 days in the north to 150 days in the south. (Facts from Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the USDA.)
Redwood County Ag Profile
- Total Employment: 9,539 jobs
- Farm Employment: 1,192 jobs
- Minnesota has 73,000 farms totaling nearly 26 million acres, of farmland, of the state’s 54 million acres of land.
Redwood Area Chamber Ag Committee
The Redwood Area Chamber Ag Committee is part of the Redwood Area Chamber & Tourism and works to advocate and educate for agriculture in our area.
- Fifth Grade Ag Education Day
- Academic/Leadership Scholarships
- Rib Eye/Pork Chop Open Golf Tournaments
- Farmfest Education and Exhibitor Host
- Support for Agriculture in our Area
Contact Redwood Area Chamber & Tourism for more information on participating in these events!
Ag Committee Members
- Joel Mathiowetz: Board Chair
- Kelli Sorenson: Treasurer
- Anne Johnson: RACT Executive Director
- Brittney Adams
- Jesse Berg
- Marissa Ebben
- Josie Fischer
- Joey Goodthunder
- Kory Grey
- Shawn Guetter
- Kyle Guyer
- JoDee Haala
- Pat Hansen
- Taylor Hanson
- Matt Johnson
- Kirby Josephson
- Nick Klabunde
- Scott Kodet
- Dan Krenz
- David Krenz
- Kevin Kvistero
- Lisa Orren
- Jeff Potter
- Tyler Reiner
- Kelly Salfer
- Jeff Sorenson
- Bruce Tiffany
- Jennifer Vangsness
- Ryan Weltsch
Redwood Area Chamber Ag Scholarships
The Redwood Area Chamber Ag Committee and Agriculture Future of America support local students pursing degrees in Agriculture. Redwood Area Chamber Ag Committee and AFA are pleased to announce the scholarship recipients for the 2024-2025 school year. $15,000 total scholarship dollars for 2025!
2025 Redwood Area Chamber Ag Scholarships Recipients
- Alexis Altmann, Redwood Valley HS -Â Redwood Area Chamber Ag AFA, Scholarship - $4,450 ($2,500 our match) - Animal Science/Pre-Vet at U of MN-Twin Cities
- Ella O'Keefe, Redwood Valley HS - Redwood Area Chamber Ag AFA, Scholarship - $4,450 ($2,500 our match) - Ag Education at Fort Lewis College
- Morgan Kodet, Redwood Valley HS - $1,200 academic scholarship, Animal Science/Vet Medicine at U of Wisconsin-River Falls
- Noah Christensen, Sleepy Eye St. Mary's Catholic HS - $1,200 academic scholarship, Ag Business at SMSU
- Sophie Kodet, Minnesota Virtual Academy - $1,200 academic scholarship, Vet Tech at Iowa Central Community College
- Calvin Hanna, Wabasso HS - $1,200 academic scholarship, Ag Science at SDSU
- Brayden Daub, Wabasso HS - $1,200 academic scholarship, Farm Operations Management at Ridgewater College
- Jordan Matson, Redwood Valley HS - $750 academic scholarship - Ag Business at Ridgewater College
- Adrian Gottfried - $750 academic scholarship - Diesel Mechanics at Alex Tech
- Tony Mertens, Wabasso HS - $750 academic scholarship - Ag Business at Bethany College
- Zach Guggisberg, Redwood Valley HS - $750 academic scholarship - Ag Aviation at Riggin Flight
- Griffin Evans, Redwood Valley HS - $500 academic scholarship - Electrician at Ridgewater College
- Jayden Claseman, Redwood Valley HS - $500 academic scholarship - Farm Contracting at Alex Tech
Advocating for Agriculture in Our Area
The Redwood Area Chamber Ag Committee is a committee of Redwood Area Chamber & Tourism and works to advocate and educate for agriculture in our area. One of their Scholarship Programs, through a partnership with Agriculture Future of America, funds scholarships for high school graduates, who live or go to school in Redwood County, that are pursuing post-secondary 4-year degrees in agriculture and related degree programs.  Another scholarship program funds scholarships for high school graduates, who live or go to school in Redwood County, that are pursuing post-secondary 2-year degrees in agriculture and related degree programs.
Golf Tournaments
Proceeds from two area golf tournaments fund the Scholarship Program. The Ribeye Open is scheduled for July 14, 2025, at the Redwood Falls Golf Club in Redwood Falls, and the Pork Chop Open is scheduled for July 24, 2025, at the Farmers Golf & Health Club in Sanborn.
Agriculture Future of America Partners
Agriculture Future of America partners with organizations, businesses, and individual donors to provide scholarships to students who are actively pursuing careers in an agriculture-related industry. In addition to enhancing the education and leader potential of rural youth in the Midwest region through community-based scholarships, AFA provides leader and career development training and internship assistance to college students across the country.
