GILFILLAN ESTATES – Minnesota Farmfest 2021 returns to Gilfillan Estates August 3-5 with self-contained mowers, spray drone and farm safety demonstrations, and farm policy discussions.

The lodge program includes freebies including sunscreen, prescription deactivation kits, personal protective equipment and resources in respiratory protection, grain elevator health and safety, mental health, ATVs, in UTV and agricultural safety for young people.

Cowbot, a stand-alone mower developed and tested by the West Central Research and Development Center at the University of Minnesota and the Toro Company for cattle pasture mowing, will be on display at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily between the 1st and 2nd street.

An open and moderated panel discussion on U.S. agricultural policy, followed by questions from the audience, begins at 10:30 a.m. on August 3 at the Farmfest Center.

Guest panelists include Congressman Jim Hagedorn and Michelle Fischbach, US Senator Amy Klobuchar, President of the American Farm Bureau “Zippy” Duvall, National Farmers Union President Rob Larew, American Soybean Association Board Chairman Bill Gordon, and former USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey .

A session on climate change, carbon sequestration and discussion of carbon credits, agricultural policy incentives, CRP and other conservation programs begins at 1:15 p.m. on August 3.

Panelists include Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, 2021 American Soybean Association Conservation Legacy Award winner Brian Ryberg of Buffalo Lake, and the Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association Hall of Fame and the Brooten cattle producer John Reed.

The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation is sponsoring a free pancake breakfast for the first 1,000 people at Farmfest Center at 8 am on August 4.

A forum on Farm Bill recommendations and tax policy begins at 10:30 a.m. on August 4 at the Farmfest Center. Panelists include former Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson, National Cattleman’s Beef Association president Don Schiefelbein, National Corn Growers Association vice president Tom Haag, Minnesota Farm Bureau president Kevin Paap, president of Minnesota Farmers Union Gary Wertish, Murdock farmer Mike Yost and executive director of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association. Lucas Sjoström.

Starting at 1:15 p.m., panelists will discuss the Biden administration’s U.S. energy plan and Minnesota’s clean energy plan, and how the expansion of ethanol, biodiesel and other renewable fuels adapts and limits wind, solar and electric power.

Speakers include Congressman Angie Craig, Senator Tina Smith, Minnesota State Senator Gary Dahms, Chairman of Minnesota Corn Growers, Tim Waibel of Courtland, and others.

The 2021 Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year will be honored following a 10 a.m. discussion on women in agriculture at the Farmfest Center.

Tickets are $ 8 online, $ 10 at the door.

Visit https://www.ideagroup.com for more information.

Fritz Busch can be emailed to fbusch@nujournal.com.