June 2022

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation
Doing Good

Doing Good, Featured

(Minneapolis, MN) —  June 29, 2022 — The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation has awarded more than $3.4M in grants to 21 nonprofit organizations in Minnesota. Grant awards are for one or two years and range from $25,000 to $100,000 per year. Sixteen grants are part of the Healthy Start program, which supports efforts to improve access to quality early childhood care and education throughout the state. This effort has been a focus of the Blue

DSB Rock Island Wealth Management Welcomes Two New Partners
Business

Business

David J. Brouillette and Daniel D. Gustafson bring a combined 50 years of experience to Minnesota financial services firm, DSB Rock Island Wealth Management (Minneapolis, MN) —  June 29, 2022  — DSB Rock Island Wealth Management, LLC., an independent advisory and wealth management firm focused on helping clients build financial plans that align with their personal values and vision, today announced that David J. Brouillette and Daniel D. Gustafson have joined the firm as

Birds Eye Facility Waseca
Business

Business, Featured

An investment of approximately $300 million in Waseca, Minn. facility will modernize production capabilities (Chicago, MN) —  June 29, 2022 — Conagra Brands, Inc.  one of North America’s leading branded food companies, announced the opening of its new state-of-the-art vegetable processing plant in Waseca, Minn. The new 245,000 square foot facility, which processes fresh vegetables to support Conagra’s frozen meals business and Birds Eye brand, was built from the ground up with a focus on

Rachel Evangelisto Miss Minnesota
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Featured, People

(Eden Prairie, MN) — June 29th, 2022 — Miss Minnesota has crowned Rachel Evangelisto Miss Minnesota.   Rachel is the 1st Indigenous Woman to hold the title.   Rachel grew up watching the Miss America competition and wanted to emulate the empowered women she saw on television. She stepped on stage for her first pageant at the age of 13 and has since been awarded over $23,000 in scholarships. In addition,

FiberSnare Plastic Polution
Business

Business

Filtrol, the leader in washing machine filters, is introducing a new microfiber filter designed specifically for laundry tubs and sinks. (Milaca, MN) —  June 28, 2022 — Filtrol, a company of Wexco Environmental, officially announced the FiberSnare, a new type of filter that will capture microfibers and microplastics from your laundry. The FiberSnare filter, created by Filtrol, makes it easier for individuals worldwide to join the fight against microplastics and

Leave No One Behind
Doing Good

Doing Good

Leave No One Behind: Daily Meditations for Military Service Members and Veterans in Recovery is available now from Hazelden Publishing     New book amplifies voices of military veterans and active service members in recovery Veterans are one of the most resilient, supportive and driven groups. They strive to help those who struggle, and by helping others, they often are able to help themselves” — Dustin Brockberg, PhD   (Center

Minnesota's Loon
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Doing Good, Featured

(Minnestota) — June 27th, 2022 — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking volunteers to help monitor the loon population in Aitkin and Crow Wing counties. Volunteers are needed, for a minimum of one morning during the July 2 through July 12 monitoring period, to count the number of adult and juvenile loons on pre-selected lakes. For more than 20 years, with the assistance of hundreds of volunteer observers,

MN State Fair Florida Georgia Line
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Featured, Music | Podcast

(St. Paul, MN) — June 27th, 2022 – The Minnesota State Fair is pleased to announce the final Grandstand show for the 2022 Grandstand Concert Series sponsored by Sleep Number. Visit mnstatefair.org/grandstand/ for Grandstand information. Show details are as follows: Florida Georgia Line with special guest Bailey Zimmerman 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31 Tickets: $106, $96, $75 (all reserved seating) On sale: 10 a.m. Thursday, June 30 Tickets are available

Turtles and Tortoises Challenge Evolutionary Theories of Aging
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New study shows that certain species exhibit slower aging, or none at all, when living conditions are favorable. Photo: Leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis). Credit: Getty Images.   Data from the Species360 Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) has enabled researchers from the Species360 Conservation Science Alliance and the University of Southern Denmark to investigate evolutionary aging theories in tortoises and turtles.   Press Release: By  Gavrielle Kirk-Cohen (Minneapolis, MN) — June

Vikingland Band Festival Alexandria
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(Alexandria, MN) — June 27th, 2022 —  Each year on the last weekend of June, the Vikingland Band Festival in Alexandria plays host to a variety of Marching Bands who compete in multiple classes and categories.   Over the years, the Vikingland Band Festival has played host to 94 bands from 7 States, 3 Provinces and Norway.   This years event included 16 bands plus the host, Alexandria. The Vikingland Band Festival

Elk River Minnesota Greensteps
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(Elk River, MN) — June 17th, 2022   – The City of Elk River received an award for being a Steps 4 and 5 city in the Minnesota GreenStep program . Elk River is one of 147 participating cities and tribal nations in the 12 – year – old challenge, assistance, and recognition program.“This award shows community members and other cities across Minnesota that the City of Elk River is taking

Greta Stark-Kraker
People

People

(St Cloud, MN) — June 27th, 2022 —  “Central Minnesota is my hometown, I’ve grown up here in more ways than just one,” says Greta Stark-Kraker, the next Executive Director for the Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF). “I believe that everyone should have a seat and a voice at the table, as I step into this new role, my goal is to bring our community together to focus on the

Sumair Sheikh
People

People

(Duluth, MN)  —  June 14, 2022  — The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has named Sumair Sheikh, a seasoned nonprofit, city and community leader, as the new executive director of LISC Duluth. Sheikh will spearhead a LISC program that has invested nearly $86 million in affordable housing, small businesses, health, education, community safety and jobs throughout Duluth over the last 25 years—all with an eye toward breaking down race and class barriers that keep

Exhibition Artist Joshua McGarvey
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(Minneapolis, MN) — July 25th, 2022 — The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) has announced “POSTURING,” a multimedia installation by Minneapolis-based interdisciplinary artist Joshua McGarvey that explores the abstraction of truth. Through sculptural installations, the exhibition invites visitors to consider how museums like Mia often display objects out of their original context to imbue different meanings. The exhibition also features video work that experiments with the concept of truth and

Gary Jamison
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Florence Makope Joins Hormel Foods as New Vice President and Treasurer (Austin, MN) —  June 21, 2022 — Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced that Gary Jamison, vice president and treasurer, will be retiring after a 34-year career with the company. The company also announced it has appointed Florence Makope to succeed Jamison as vice president and treasurer. Makope, who joins Hormel Foods

Andersen Corporation Breaks Ground
Business

Business, Featured

Andersen Corporation expands again to support rapid growth (Bayport, MN) — June 22, 2022 — Andersen Corporation, America’s premier window and door manufacturer, broke ground yesterday for a second expansion of its Renewal by Andersen manufacturing campus in Cottage Grove, Minn. This expansion will double the size of the company’s Value-Add Center, a 360,000-square-foot facility built in 2020 to support growing demand for Renewal by Andersen products. It accommodates manufacturing,

People and Places and How We Use Spaces
Music | Podcast

Music | Podcast

  (Minneapolis, MN) —  June 21, 2022  — Lisa Christianson releases another episode of her podcast, People and Places and How We Use Spaces, featuring Minneapolis restauranteur Kim Bartmann. Bartmann owns eight successful Minneapolis restaurants including the ever-popular Barbette, Red Stag Supper Club, and Pat’s Tap; she is a 3-time James Beard award semifinalist and is a titan in the restaurant scene. Bartmann shares how she got started in the

NASA Space Grant Midwest High-Power Rocketry
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Team Everyday competed against college and university teams from five states   (Inver Grove Heights, MN) — June 21st, 2022 — This past May, Team Everyday, the student engineering team at Inver Hills Community College, took third place in the 2021–2022 NASA Space Grant Midwest High-Power Rocketry Competition, “Return to Flight: Fleet Challenge.” Team Everyday competed against nine high-power rocketry teams representing colleges and universities from five states: Minnesota, Iowa,

Minnesota State High School Clay Target League
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(Alexandria, MN) — June 21st, 2022 — High school athletes and teams representing schools from across the state  participated at the 2022 Minnesota State High School Clay Target League Championships. The Trap Shooting Championship were held at the Alexandria Shooting Park from June 13th through June 21st. The nine-day event is the world’s largest clay target shooting event, and featured 7,897 athletes from 329 Minnesota high school teams. The 2022

Planters Peanutters
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From left to right, Hormel Foods first class of Peanutters, Alexa Esparza (Shell-exa), Kevin O’Donnell (CrunchTime Kev) and Grace Tessitore (Groundnut Grace) (Austin, MN) — June 16, 2022  — The PLANTERS® brand traveling NUTMOBILE™ vehicle hit the road this week with a new class of Peanutters. This will be the first new crew to travel the country in the 26-foot traveling nut since Hormel Foods acquired the PLANTERS® brand in

Andres Caballero
People

People

(Apple Valley, MN) —  June 17, 2022 — Uponor Corporation (Uponor) has named Andres Caballero president of its Building Solutions – North America division and a member of the Executive Committee at Uponor. He will be based in Apple Valley, Minn., reporting to Michael Rauterkus, president and CEO, Uponor Corporation. Andres has extensive leadership experience, including more than a decade at Honeywell International Inc., leading global businesses in Environmental and Control Solutions, Building Solutions, Honeywell Homes,

Carlton Man Named 2021 ATV Safety Instructor of the Year
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(Carlton, MN) — June 16th, 2022 — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has named Eric Senarighi, a Carlton resident and president of the Carlton County Riders ATV Club, as the 2021 ATV Safety Instructor of the Year. Senarighi is a longtime ATV enthusiast who has taught ATV safety, through the club and individually, for years. The club trains about 100 kids per year during classes in the spring and

Simplicity 26 Records To Release First NFT Collection This Summer
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Featured, Music | Podcast

Simplicity 26 Records is pleased to announce the release of its first NFT collection on OpenSea. (Detroit Lakes, MN)  —  June 17, 2022 — The “OHM Collection” will include Simplicity 26’s first NFT‘s, which are the unreleased remixes of Eddie Hudson’s “Till the End” featuring Sierra Day by New York City native Mike Dominico of Muted Trax & the Italian duo M&Project. “Till the End” was produced and recorded by

Spark Training Solutions
Business

Business

    WBENC Certification is the gold standard for women-owned businesses in the U.S. We believe supplier diversity promotes innovation, opens doors, and creates partnerships that fuel the economy.” — Bridget Foster, Director, Women’s Business Development Center (St Paul, MN) — June 14, 2022 — Spark Training Solutions, a railroad safety, compliance training and drug & alcohol testing company, announced today national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the

CHS Grain
Business

Business, Featured

(Erskine,MN) — June 14, 2022 — CHS will begin construction this summer on a new state-of-the-art grain facility with 1.25 million bushels of additional storage capacity in Erskine, Minn. The facility is slated to be operational in the fall of 2023 and will help CHS expand operational capabilities and increase efficiency across its footprint. The new shuttle elevator will bring total capacity at the location to 4.55 million bushels of storage

Doyal, Christianson recognized at 38th annual FEW
People

People

Randall Doyal and John Christianson were recognized for their service and commitment to the biofuels industry at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo   (Minneapolis, MN) — June 14, 2022  — Two ethanol industry veterans, each with careers spanning four decades, were recognized for their longtime service and commitment to the biofuels industry Tuesday morning at the world’s largest ethanol conference, the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW),

Land O Lakes Butter Balls
Business

Business, Featured

Inspired by consumers who picked up cooking during the pandemic, these convenient, pre-portioned butter balls make at-home meals easier (Arden Hills, MN) — June 14, 2022  — Land O’Lakes, Inc. has put a new spin on butter with the launch of Land O Lakes® Butter Balls – half-tablespoon butter balls for everyday cooking. Inspired by consumers who picked up cooking during the pandemic, this first-of-its-kind product for retail shelves offers

Mobile X Global
Business

Business

Public company to launch Mobile X, a disruptive new wireless service provider (Minnetonka, MN and Los Angeles) —  June 13, 2022  — Electro-Sensors, Inc. (Nasdaq: ELSE), a leader in industrial monitoring systems, and Mobile X Global, Inc., one of the world’s first connectivity-as-a-service companies, announced today that they have entered into definitive agreements to merge and re-name the combined company Mobile X Global, Inc. Mobile X Global, Inc. will launch

Minnesota Zoo Celebrates Birth of Rare Amure Tiger Cubs
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(Apple Valley, MN) —  June 9, 2022  — Since opening its doors in 1978, the Minnesota Zoo has been a champion of tiger conservation – supporting efforts in the wild and playing a prominent role in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Amur tiger Species Survival Plan (SSP). It’s with much excitement the Zoo announces this legacy continues. On Mother’s Day, May 8, 2022, four Amur tiger cubs were born at

2022 Retailer of the Year award, MN Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Grocers Association
Business

Business, Featured

(Minnesota) — June 9th, 2022 — Minnesota grocers recognized for promoting locally grown products and farms will be rewarded with the 2022 Retailer of the Year award from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Grown program, in conjunction with the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA). “Grocers and their employees have come through repeatedly for Minnesota communities in recent years,” MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen said. “One of those ways is by promoting

Minneapolis Musician Reverse Mechanic is Shining Light in 2022
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Featured, Music | Podcast

In the midst of the Ukraine crisis, the pandemic, school shootings, and bad news in 2022, the Minneapolis-St. Paul artist is bringing beauty to the world. “The message is too relevant given the state of the world right now. People need to hear this.” — Reverse Mechanic (Minneapolis, MN) — June 8, 2022  — “I don’t know why God made the Devil, but He made me to believe.” – Reverse

NAI Legacy Completes Sale of $3.4M Raising Cane’s Ground Lease
Business

Business

(Minneapolis, MN)  —  June 7, 2022  — NAI Legacy is pleased to announce that they have completed the sale of 3065 White Bear Ave, Maplewood, Minnesota. The brand new construction, single-tenant property was ground leased to Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers at the Maplewood Mall for 15+ Years. Michael Houge, Managing Director at NAI Legacy commented, “We knew that Raising Cane’s would be highly attractive for 1031 investors, and by widely

AcademicInfluence.com Ranks the Best Colleges & Universities in Minnesota for 2022
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What are the top colleges and universities in Minnesota? See where AcademicInfluence.com ranks them in a variety of categories… (Image credit: Minneapolis downtown skyline in Minnesota, USA, at sunset by f11photo, Getty Images Pro, Canva Pro License)     (St Paul, MN)  — June 8, 2022  — The top colleges & universities in Minnesota get an updated ranking for 2022 in the AcademicInfluence.com series “The Best Colleges & Universities in

DIANA Award Presentation to Upsher-Smith
Business

Business, Featured

DIANA Award Presentation to Upsher-Smith. Left to right: Chip Davis (President and CEO of HDA), Mike McBride (VP Partner Relations at Upsher-Smith), Mike Muzetras (National Accounts Associate Director at Upsher-Smith​), Dave Zitnak (National Accounts Associate VP at Upsher-Smith), Brad Leonard (Associate VP of National Accounts at Upsher-Smith), Chad Gielen (HDA Vice Chair and President/CEO of Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company). Company Named a Best Overall Branded Pharmaceutical Product Manufacturer of the Year

Country Music Superstar Lauren Alaina to Buy Every Nashville Festival Goer a Pair of Maurices Jeans
Doing Good

Doing Good, Featured

Maurices and Alaina to Host LeJEANdary Fan Club Event   (Duluth, MN) —  June 8, 2022 — Leading women’s fashion retailer, Maurices is partnering with country music superstar Lauren Alaina to give every attendee of Nashville, Tennessee’s signature country music event a pair of Maurices jeans. For a limited time following the four-day festival, attendees can show their festival ticket at any of Maurices’ 900 stores across the US and Canada between June 18 and

emerald ash borer
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Doing Good, Featured

(Minnesota) — June 6th, 2022 — In 2021, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources awarded a combined $2.6 million in grants to 43 communities across Minnesota to combat damage caused by emerald ash borer. The grants provide funding for tree inventories, management plans, ash removal, and tree planting. “These funds will help communities manage for EAB,” said Valerie McClannahan, urban and community forestry program coordinator. “From taking the first steps

Mn DNR
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Doing Good, Featured

(Minnesota) — June 6, 2022 — During Take a Kid Fishing weekend (Friday, June 10 to Sunday, June 12) Minnesota residents can fish without licenses if they take children 15 or younger along. “Fishing together with kids is a fun way to spend time in the outdoors,” said Benji Kohn, volunteer mentor program coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “Making great memories can be as easy as finding

Channel One
Doing Good

Doing Good

(Rochester, MN) – May 24th, 2022 — Channel One recently received a $75,000 grant from Mayo Clinic to support Channel One’s mission of strengthening food access and building healthy communities. This gift is also intended to help Olmsted County residents facing financial stress, a leading local community health priority according to the Olmsted County Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Every three years, Olmsted County partners conduct a needs assessment, which

EvoCharge and Uni-Select Announce Partnership to Provide Electric Vehicle Chargers
Business

Business

  EvoCharge electric vehicle charging solutions are now available through one of the fastest growing suppliers of aftermarket auto parts in Canada.   (Minneapolis, MN) —  June 7, 2022 — EvoCharge®, an industry leader in Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) and cable management solutions, announced it has entered into a resale agreement with Uni-Select Canada Inc. to provide the most modern, compact and highest rated Level 2 electric vehicle (EV)

Miller’s Bay Aquatic Management Area
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Doing Good, Featured

(Walker, MN) — June 6, 2022 — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Northern Waters Land Trust, Leech Lake Association, and the Hugh C. Becker Foundation recently partnered to purchase 5.25 acres with 1,300 feet of undeveloped shoreline as an addition to the existing Miller’s Bay Aquatic Management Area in Miller Bay on Leech Lake. The acquisition consists of two separate but concurrent purchases by the DNR and NWLT of

Minnesota Department of Agriculture
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(Minnesota) — June 2, 2022 — Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen today released the annual list of top Minnesota dairy herds with low somatic cell counts (SCC). Somatic cell count is a key indicator of milk quality – a lower SCC count is better for cheese production and a longer shelf life for bottled milk. In honor of June Dairy Month, 114 Minnesota dairy farms are being recognized for superior

Steve LaCroix
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Featured, People

Former Minnesota Vikings EVP & CMO to Drive Growth & Strategic Planning for Esports Entertainment & Gaming Industry Start-Up  (Bloomington, MN) — June 2, 2022  — Wisdom Gaming, the emerging leader in esports entertainment, today announced that former Minnesota Vikings EVP & CMO Steve LaCroix joins the company’s leadership team as President of Wisdom Gaming. LaCroix steps into this role as an expansion of Wisdom Gaming’s partnership that started with

Minnesota State Fair free stage entertainment
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(St. Paul, MN)– May 24, 2022 – The 2022 Minnesota State Fair free stage entertainment lineup features more than 900 shows throughout the Great Minnesota Get-Together’s 12-day run – all free with fair admission. Highlights of this year’s free stage lineup are below. Note:  The full lineup of free entertainment, including additional acts, showtimes and artist information, is available at mnstatefair.org. Leinie Lodge Bandshell Tonight! sponsored by Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing

Husky's Hockey
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(St. Cloud, MN) — June 2nd, 2022 — The St. Cloud State University hockey program recently received gifts totaling $1.8 million, an investment designed to provide a significantly better experience for fans, secure the men’s team as a perennial top 10 program and boost the performance of women’s hockey. Thanks to gifts totaling $1.3 million, the fan experience is expected to improve significantly with the start of the 2022-23 season.

Minnesota State Fair BELLE Grants Announced
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Doing Good, Featured

(St. Paul, MN) –June 1, 2022–  The Minnesota State Fair is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Beginning Exhibitor Livestock Learning Experience (BELLE) Grant, a program that awards grants and providesmentors to youth livestock exhibitors who are first-time participants in the Minnesota State Fair. TheBELLE Grant is funded by the Minnesota State Fair Foundation. The 16 recipients of the 2022 BELLE Grant are: • Molly Albers of Dundas,

Fraser Hires a Chief Administrative Officer
People

People

I am honored to serve in this new role and work with an amazing and dedicated team of leaders, clinicians and staff to deliver the best care to our clients and families. ”  — Elif McCain, Fraser Chief Administrative Officer     (Richfield, MN) — June 2, 2022 – Fraser has hired Elif McCain as Chief Administrative Officer – Specialty Healthcare. McCain will work with Fraser Executive Vice President and

Crazy Crayons
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Doing Good, Featured

BeMobile Verizon is collecting unwanted crayons for Crazy Crayons to benefit local schools and daycare centers. (Fergus Falls, MN) — June 1st, 2022 —  BeMobile Verizon is collecting used and broken crayons for Crazy Crayons, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the environment and enriching the lives of children. Donated crayons will be sorted by color, melted down, and remanufactured into fun shapes like worms, dinosaurs and easy grip designs.

Alzheimer's Association
Doing Good

Doing Good

 — Individuals living with early-stage dementia reveal insights about stigmas, misconceptions that others have about living with dementia —  June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month — (Chicago, Ill) —  June 1, 2022 — This June, during Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, the Alzheimer’s Association is revealing insights from people living with early-stage dementia and what they wish others knew about living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Many Americans struggle with

Keri Carstens
Business

Business

(St Paul, MN) — June 1, 2022 — Jord BioScience, a leading, global provider of microbial solutions and technology to agriculture products manufacturers and ag retailers distributors, announced that Keri Carstens has been named Chief Operating Officer, effective June 1, 2022. Prior to Jord, Dr Carstens led global regulatory strategy for Corteva Agriscience, where she also served in key roles in regulatory science, program management, and on the leadership team