Ag for All: Creating a conference for LGBTQIA+ agriculturalists
Agricultural Issues
Emily Krekelberg
Extension Educator
University of Minnesota Extension
Rochester
Abstract
In March 2025, University of Minnesota Extension hosted its first-ever conference for LGBTQIA+ agriculturalists and allies, Ag for All. The event provided a space for these agriculturalists to connect, network, learn and share their experiences with working across various agricultural and food production enterprises. Gathering people with shared life experiences and similar challenges can be an important educational strategy for enhancing learning about any given topic.
With the changing demographics on many Minnesota farms and across rural Minnesota, all industries have an opportunity to thrive by welcoming a multifaceted workforce. Extension partnered with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to develop this conference in response to this growing need. One goal of this conference was to strengthen the agriculture community, including this unique group of farmers who fall outside traditional gender and social norms in Minnesota.
About 11% of Minnesota's population identifies as LGBTQIA+ (MN Compass). According to the 2017 USDA Ag Census, approximately 12,000 farms across the country are run by same-sex couples (WPR). In the U.S., there has been an increase from previous generations of farms run and owned by women and non-heterosexual couples (National Young Farmer Survey and Edge). Research shows that stigma, discrimination, bullying, and victimization put LGBTQIA+ people at a higher risk of developing serious physical and mental health challenges. Research also shows that feeling welcomed and affirmed within programs and communities is a powerful protective factor providing support to LGBTQIA+ people.
This conference represents just one offering from UMN Extension that fits within our overall mission of sharing practical knowledge through education. While this program looked like a traditional Extension offering in many ways–including speakers and panels of industry professionals, community members, and producers offering science-based, timely information–it was also tailored to the unique needs of this audience.
Great care and intentionality was put into planning this new educational opportunity for Minnesota farmers. This session will focus on the considerations made when planning this event as well as sharing initial responses to the program and promoting opportunities for future LGBTQIA+ agricultural programming.
Authors: Emily Krekelberg
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Emily Krekelberg Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota, 55901