Events
Events
2026 CLC Ag & Energy Center Field Day
Thank You for a Wonderful Field Day!
More than 300 people joined us Friday, August 28, for the 2026 CLC Ag & Energy Center Field Day in Staples.
Farmers, families, educators, students, industry professionals and community members spent the day exploring research plots, agricultural technology, equipment, gardens and hands-on activities throughout the Ag & Energy Center.
Attendees traveled from across the region and beyond, including communities from Grand Rapids and Deerwood to Fargo and St. Paul.
A total of 288 lunches were served, more than 250 people enjoyed the afternoon ice cream social, and approximately 70 children, parents and grandparents participated in the Children’s Garden activities.
Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, volunteered, exhibited, sponsored and helped make the 2026 Field Day possible.
Field Day Highlights
Visitors had the opportunity to choose from field sessions, demonstrations and activities throughout the morning.
Rethinking the Row: 60-Inch Corn, Cover Crops and Soil Moisture Sensors
Taylor Thompson, CLC Ag & Energy Center, and Amy Robak, Centra Sota
Drone Applications
CRK Aerial
Field Research in Edible Bean Production and Partnerships in the Plot
Juan Osorno, North Dakota State University, and Andy Hacker, Bonanza Bean LLC
Living Legacy Garden Tours
Tammy Rick, Living Legacy Gardens
Precision Irrigation Systems
Grand Irrigation
Children’s Garden & Activities
Judy Barka, AgCentric
Tractor and Combine Ride-N-Drive
Midwest Machinery
Children’s Garden
Approximately 70 children, parents and grandparents spent part of the morning learning together in the Children’s Garden.
Young visitors dug potatoes, cut flowers and participated in other hands-on activities designed to help them learn more about where food and agricultural products come from.
An apple press was another highlight, giving families the opportunity to watch apples become fresh apple juice and enjoy the finished product.
Legacy Ag Trail Officially Opens
Field Day also marked the official opening of the new Legacy Ag Trail at the CLC Ag & Energy Center.
City of Staples Mayor Ron Murray cut the ribbon alongside CLC Ag & Energy Center Farm Manager Todd Pollema, Legacy Ag Trail committee representatives and current Central Lakes College Heavy Equipment students.
CLC Heavy Equipment students installed the trail as a hands-on project. The students who completed the installation have since graduated, with current students representing the program during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Legacy Ag Trail provides another way for students, visitors and community members to explore the Ag & Energy Center and Living Legacy Gardens.
Field Day Lunch Program
The Main Shed was filled for the Field Day lunch program, with 288 meals served.
Central Lakes College President Kim Lynch welcomed attendees, followed by an overview from Ag & Energy Center staff highlighting the research, educational work and partnerships taking place at the center.
Minnesota Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Kurt Blomgren was also among the visitors at Field Day. Blomgren spent part of the morning at the Ag & Energy Center and visited with AgCentric Executive Director Keith Olander before departing prior to the lunch program.
An Afternoon in the Living Legacy Gardens
More than 250 people continued the day in the Living Legacy Gardens for the annual ice cream social.
Sponsored by the Central Lakes College Foundation, the afternoon featured ice cream, time to explore the gardens and live Scandinavian violin music by Skal Klubben.
It was a relaxing finish to a busy day of research, demonstrations, hands-on learning and time together at the Ag & Energy Center.
Thank You
Thank you again to everyone who helped make the 2026 CLC Ag & Energy Center Field Day a success.
We are grateful to our presenters, vendors, sponsors, partners, volunteers, staff and everyone who spent the day with us in Staples.
Read More About the 2026 Field Day
Go beyond the schedule and explore the research, hands-on learning and partnerships that came together during this year’s Field Day.
Want to Support Field Day?
Support agricultural education and the future of farming in our region.
Optional sponsorship and donation opportunities are available for individuals and organizations who wish to contribute to the success of Field Day. Donations are appreciated, but not required to participate as a vendor.
To make a donation, visit the Ag & Energy Fund and enter your desired amount. Be sure to include a note indicating that your gift is for the Ag & Energy Center Field Day 2027.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Tyler Grunewald – tyler.grunewald@clcmn.edu
218-894-5141
We can’t wait to see your booth at one of Minnesota’s most exciting ag events of the year!
Farm Forum
This is an annual event that occurs in December that is open to the general public. Topics include current events and issues effecting the farming community today such as year-end tax planning, beef industry trends, farm prices and marketing, technology updates, and cover crops. Lunch is provided free of charge at this event. This event is located at the Staples main campus of Central Lakes College.
CMI (Central Minnesota Irrigators) Annual Meeting
This organization of farmers unites farmers in the central region of Minnesota concerning irrigation of the sandy plains. This is an annual event that occurs every January. This event location changes throughout the central Minnesota region to connect with farmers using irrigation located throughout the central region of the state.
Children’s Gardens
This is an annual event that occurs every summer through the months of June, July, and August. Children of the surrounding community grades K-5 are welcome to attend gardening sessions every other Tuesday from 9:00-11:00 A. M. where gardening experience is gained through planting, maintaining, and harvesting a small garden. Group leaders are present that direct children through a craft and provide direction for gardening experience located at the Ag and Energy Center Living Legacy Gardens.
Cow-Calf Day
This is an annual event that occurs in January. This event connects local beef producers in Todd County. Topics discussed pertain to the beef industry and feed lots of Todd County. This event is located at the Staples main campus of Central Lakes College.
Forage Council Annual Meeting
This is an annual event that occurs in January. This event discusses the production and processing of forages. This event is open to the general public and is located at Central Lakes College-Staples Campus.