The Agriculture Innovation Zone can become a living demonstration of the future of agriculture.

Visitors should see agriculture happening—not simply read about it.

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Precision Agriculture

Demonstrate sensors, satellite technology, data analytics, AI and precision application systems that allow farmers to produce more efficiently while managing inputs more precisely.

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Robotics & Autonomous Agriculture

Showcase autonomous tractors, robotic equipment, drones and next-generation machinery operating in real-world environments.

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Plant Science & Genetics

Highlight Minnesota and American leadership in seeds, genetics, crop resilience, plant health and biotechnology.

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Soil & Water

Demonstrate soil health, precision conservation, nutrient management, irrigation technology and water stewardship.

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Controlled-Environment Agriculture

Show the future of greenhouses, vertical agriculture, hydroponics, automation and year-round food production.

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Food Innovation

Connect agricultural production with food science, processing, nutrition, supply-chain technology and consumer innovation.

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Renewable Fuels

Showcase ethanol, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel and the emerging relationship between agriculture and transportation energy.

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Bio-Based Manufacturing

Demonstrate how crops and agricultural materials can become fuels, chemicals, packaging, building materials and next-generation consumer products.

 

MINNESOTA'S BIOECONOMY

One of the most important stories Expo 2031 can tell is

that the future of agriculture extends far beyond food.

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Minnesota crops can increasingly become the feedstocks for:

• Aviation fuel

• Renewable transportation fuels

• Chemicals

• Plastics alternatives

• Packaging

• Textiles

• Construction materials

• Industrial products

• Advanced biomaterials

This creates an opportunity to position Minnesota

as a national center for the emerging bioeconomy.

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Expo 2031 can bring agriculture together with energy companies, manufacturers, universities, investors and technology companies to accelerate commercialization of these markets.

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AGRICULTURE + ENERGY

The connection between agriculture and energy deserves particular attention.

Minnesota is already a leader in renewable fuels.

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The next generation of opportunity includes:

Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

The development of a Minnesota SAF economy could connect farmers, ethanol producers, airlines, airports, refiners, carbon technology companies and investors.

Expo 2031 provides an international stage for demonstrating how America's agricultural economy can help power the future of transportation.

That story can begin on the farm and end at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.

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AGRICULTURE + TECHNOLOGY

The Agriculture Innovation Zone should also become a destination for the world's leading technology companies.

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Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, satellite imagery, robotics, autonomous systems and data analytics are rapidly changing agriculture.

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Expo 2031 can create partnerships among:

Minnesota producers + technology companies + universities + investors.

The Expo becomes a place to demonstrate these technologies under real-world conditions and introduce them to producers and international markets.

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GLOBAL BUSINESS CONNECT

The Agriculture Innovation Zone will be supported by a robust B2B platform.

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Throughout the six-month Expo, Minnesota can host:

• International agricultural delegations

• Buyer missions

• Investor meetings

• Technology demonstrations

• CEO roundtables

• Producer forums

• Research symposiums

• Trade missions

• Agricultural policy discussions

A dedicated Expo 2031 Global Agriculture Business Connect program can match international visitors with Minnesota companies, producers and technologies.

Every participating country becomes a potential market.

Every visiting company becomes a potential partner.

Every international delegation becomes a potential business-development opportunity.

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A STATEWIDE AGRICULTURE PLATFORM

The economic opportunity will not stop at the Expo gates.

Expo 2031 will connect visitors with agriculture throughout Minnesota.

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Potential experiences could include:

• Farm tours

• Research facilities

• Food processing operations

• Agricultural manufacturing

• Cooperative facilities

• Renewable fuel plants

• University research centers

• Agricultural tourism

• Demonstration farms

 

International delegations visiting Expo 2031

could spend several additional days experiencing Minnesota agriculture firsthand.

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The Expo site becomes the front door.

Minnesota becomes the agricultural destination.

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THE NEXT GENERATION

Expo 2031 also gives Minnesota an extraordinary opportunity

to introduce young people to the future of agriculture.

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Through partnerships with FFA, 4-H, schools, colleges, universities and agricultural employers, the Agriculture Innovation Zone will expose students to careers in:

• Agronomy

• Robotics

• Engineering

• Plant science

• Veterinary science

• Food science

• Biotechnology

• Data science

• Environmental science

• Renewable energy

• Advanced manufacturing

• Agricultural communications

 

Agriculture's workforce story is a central part of agriculture's economic development story.

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A PLATFORM BUILT WITH AGRICULTURE

We will not design the Agriculture Innovation Zone

and then invite Minnesota agriculture to participate.

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We want Minnesota agriculture to help design it.

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That means bringing together:

• Farmers and producers

• Commodity organizations

• Cooperatives

• Agribusinesses

• Agricultural manufacturers

• Food companies

• Universities and researchers

• Conservation organizations

• Technology companies

• Financial institutions

• State and federal agricultural agencies

 

The people building the future of agriculture

will help determine what the world sees when it comes to Minnesota in 2031.

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WHAT OUR COLLECTIVE SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

By the conclusion of Expo 2031, we will be able to measure more than attendance.

We will be able to identify:

• Export relationships created

• International buyers engaged

• Agricultural investment attracted

• Companies recruited to Minnesota

• Technologies demonstrated

• Research partnerships launched

• Minnesota businesses participating

• Students entering agricultural career pathways

• Rural communities benefiting

• New markets created for Minnesota commodities

 

That is the difference between hosting an agricultural exhibition

and creating an agricultural economic development platform at Expo 2031.