FAIRMONT – Economic Development non-profit Organization GreenSeam seeks to bring knowledge and resources to the Fairmont area.

They will be hosting an Entrepreneurship Workshop from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Jan. 13 at Kahler Automation. GreenSeam Economic Development Coordinator Holly Callaghan said they’ve done similar workshops in St. James and Waseca and enjoy their experiences with each town.

“We love to see how each town reacts because each one acts as its own ecosystem which makes up a whole web,” she said. “We have been gathering the ingredients and people to see if they have an appetite for more businesses and Ag growth so we can connect resources to them.”

Callaghan said GreenSeam works across multiple industries to serve the agricultural core of southern Minnesota. She said their mission is to elevate southern Minnesota to be the world agribusiness epicenter.

“There is a significant presence of Ag in the region,” Callaghan said. “Other states may produce more in individual commodities but this region truly is the overarching center for Ag. Producers have a major role in this area, but we also work with businesses and education because everything is connected with Ag.”

The workshops came from a committee within GreenSeam. Callaghan said it sprouted from the idea that entrepreneurship fosters best in an educational and collaborative environment.

“A lot of people are walking around with ideas for next-level entrepreneurship but it takes solid foundations to take next steps,” she said. “We want students and people who have an idea and want to turn it into a reality. We want farmers who have an operation so they can get connections and resources. People walk away with skills to add in their tool belt, even if they don’t use them right away.”

Neil Linscheid and Dr. Jeff Stamp will be speakers for the event. Linscheid is a Community Development Educator with the U of M Extension. His work involves supporting local leaders through economic changes to pave brighter futures.

Dr. Stamp is a professor at the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources. He is most notable for having invented the Baked Lay’s potato chip, but he also has 25 years of experience working in food and Ag with businesses, farmers and scientists.

Bringing an event like this to Fairmont is something Callaghan said she hopes is another growth step for regional agribusiness growth.

“It has made us so strong and we want to see that continue,” she said. “There are so many bright minds and resources, but often they are in silos. Events like this create so many wins for the people, the area, and this region as a whole.”

Registration deadline is Jan. 12. For more information or to register, visit www.greenseam.org/gitgf.