Partnerships

Building and Sustaining Partnerships

Research Partnerships Advance Potato Industry

R.D. Offutt Farms is committed to working hand-in-hand with all of our partners, including research teams at the University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University, to develop the most environmentally-friendly practices while maintaining a consistent high-quality crop.

Engagement and Participation with Government Partners

Straight River Groundwater Management Area Project Advisory Team: The Straight River flows through Hubbard County, where we operate our Park Rapids, Minn. farm. Our team participated on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Project Advisory Team for the Straight River Groundwater Management Area (GWMA) Plan. Our team members worked with the group for two years to draft the 76-page, five-year plan, which aims to guide the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in handling the appropriation and long-term, sustainable use of groundwater within the Straight River GWMA. In April 2024, the DNR released a new report about the Straight River, indicating the plan is working and that groundwater use is having minimal effect on the river. Read the report here: Straight River Groundwater Management Area Monitoring and Analysis Report (April 2024).

Crow Wing River One Watershed One Plan Citizens Advisory Committee: The Crow Wing River Watershed is located in north-central Minnesota within the counties of Becker, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Morrison, Otter Tail, Todd and Wadena. Given R.D. Offutt Farms' footprint in the watershed, we were eager to participate on the Crow Wing River One Watershed One Plan Citizens Advisory Committee. The plan was published in October 2024 - read the report here: Crow Wing River Comprehensive Water Management Plan. Additional information about the Crow Wing River Watershed can be found at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency website.

Working with Industry and Community Partners

R.D. Offutt Farms partners with a variety of agricultural and business groups, including:

• AgriGrowth: Advocating for Minnesota's Ag and Food Sector
• Irrigators Association of Minnesota
• Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom
• Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
• Minnesota Department of Agriculture
• Minnesota Farm Bureau
• Minnesota FFA Association
• Minnesota 4-H
• Minnesota Area II Potato Council
• National Potato Council
• Northland Potato Growers Association
• Potato Sustainability Alliance
• Potatoes USA
• Second Harvest Heartland
• The Farmlink Project
• Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association