WILLMAR — Since the county’s earliest days, agriculture has played an outsized role in the economic health and vitality of Kandiyohi County. The county often ranks in the top 10 in the state for various agricultural productions including turkeys, poultry, sheep, sugar beets and aquaculture.

In the 2017 USDA Farm Census, Kandiyohi County ranked 10th in the state for market value of agricultural products sold, at $424,078,000.

Given those numbers, it might be surprising that some feel it is difficult for agricultural businesses and producers to be heard by those in power and by the public at large.

“Agriculture hits so much of our community it is almost easy to overlook,” said Sarah Swedburg, business development manager for the Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission. “It is everywhere, but it is so everywhere I don’t think people realize all that it touches.”

Read the full article at the West Central Tribune.