Minnesota is by any standard one of the leading agricultural places in the United States, both in terms of farm production and as a headquarters for some of the largest agrifood and agronomic enterprises in the world. Several factors are likely to affect the future of Minnesota agriculture in the 21st century. First, the state is likely to remain a center of agribusiness activity, and is emerging as a leader in the development of new technologies based in genomics and renewable fuels. Second, Minnesota agriculture will remain highly dependent on global markets, and thus has a major stake in world trade. Third, domestic farm and fiscal policies will determine the extent to which the state continues to receive federal payments to farmers, who also depend on the overall health of the economy. Finally, the rising cost of fossil-fuel based energy has major implications for Minnesota farmers costs for fuel, fertilizer and transport. Together, these four factors describe an environment that will challenge Minnesota agriculture in the years to come.
