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 2025-2026 school year. In 2026 they are awarding a record number of scholarship dollars that are just over $20,000!
2026 Redwood Area Chamber Ag Scholarships Recipients
- Hank Heiling, Cedar Mountain HS - Redwood Area Chamber Ag AFA, Scholarship - $4,450 ($2,500 our match) - Agronomy at South Dakota State University
- Piper Rigge, Redwood Valley HS - Redwood Area Chamber Ag AFA, Scholarship - $4,450 ($2,500 our match) - Ag Education at Southwest State University
- Grace Sullivan, Cedar Mountain HS - Redwood Area Chamber Ag AFA, Scholarship - $4,450 ($2,500 our match) - Precision Ag at South Dakota State University
- Erik Rasmussen, Redwood Valley HS - $2,000 academic scholarship, Diesel Mechanics at South Central College
- Elijah Lightfoot, Tracy Area HS - $2,000 academic scholarship, Diesel Mechanic and Technology at Lake Area Technical College
- Adriel Johnson, Redwood Valley HS - $2,000 academic scholarship, Electrician degree at Ridgewater College
- Addison Beran, Redwood Valley HS - $2,000 academic scholarship - Veterinary Technician at Ridgewater College
- Teagen Werner, Red Rock Central HS - $1,000 academic scholarship - Production Ag at Lake Area Technical College
- Julian Larson, Springfield HS - $1,000 academic scholarship - Equine Science and Equine Business Management at Ellsworth Community College
- Nathan Cowan, Red Rock Central HS - $1,000 academic scholarship - Business Management at MN West Community and Technical College
- Jackson Nichols, Redwood Valley HS - $500 academic scholarship - Law Enforcement at Alexandria Technical College
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 13, 2026, at the Redwood Falls Golf Club in Redwood Falls, and the Pork Chop Open is scheduled for July 21, 2026, 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.
