Question 1

Do you offer refunds for cancelled tickets?

Accepted Answer

Due to commitments, we must make to our vendors, we can offer the following refunds:

We will provide a 100% refund for all speaker sessions three business days before the event takes place. No refunds will be given after this date.

Question 2

What lunch options are near the Machine Shop?

Accepted Answer

If you would like to eat off site either day, here are Lunch Options (within walking distance of Machine Shop)
Aster Cafe
Alma Cafe
Brasa 
Spitz
Jefe Urban Cocina

Question 3

Can I make changes to my registration?

Accepted Answer

You will be able to make changes to your registration through your registration confirmation email. Or email info@naturallyminnesota.org with questions.

Question 4

Is Food. Ag. Ideas 2026 virtual or in-person?

Accepted Answer

We are thrilled to have FAI in person. Join us in Minneapolis Tuesday, October 27th!

Question 5

What is available for virtual attendees?

Accepted Answer

Panels and sessions on October 27th will not be offered virtually, however video recording may be made available after FAI concludes. Networking events and experiences will not be streamed virtually, they are for in-person attendance only.

Question 6

What is available for in-person attendees?

Accepted Answer

All programming will be available in person. This includes all content October 27th, including panels, networking events, as well as other interactive activities and tours throughout the week. All in-person events will be taking place within Minneapolis.

Question 7

Where is Food. Ag. Ideas 2026 located?

Accepted Answer

The majority of panels and sessions will occur at the Machine Shop on October 27th. Additional events and experiences will occur throughout the Twin Cities Metro Area.

Please see the 2026 Event page for a detailed agenda of the conference.

Question 8

Do you have a preferred hotel to stay at?

Accepted Answer

We recommend staying at Residence Inn by Marriott Minneapolis Downtown at The Depot.

With lodging questions please reach out to mcdo0777@umn.edu

Question 9

Tell me more about Minnesota.

Accepted Answer

Minnesota is a leader in food and agriculture from farm to fork and back again. It is the home of a strong ecosystem that includes industry and not for profits leaders, a diversity of agriculture crops, a renowned land grant university and agriculture school, as well as a growing entrepreneur community who work together to build businesses, solve food and agriculture challenges and bring ideas to scale.

If you’re visiting or just looking for fun and interesting things to do in MN, check out this list here.

Question 10

Why are you charging for tickets? Why are ticket prices so low?

Accepted Answer

We want to create an industry leading event that is accessible to all. A very significant portion of the cost for Food. Ag. Ideas. Week is subsidized by our supporting partners to enable us to set an accessible price point for the value we are offering.
 
From our experience, we have found that when an event is free, 50% of registrants do not attend, which leads to challenges in planning, waste, as well as not setting appropriate expectations for our speakers who have gone to great lengths to participate. By charging even a small amount, it has been shown that people will prioritize attending.
 
We are offering scholarship tickets for those where price is a barrier including just starting out entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations. To inquire about scholarships, please email info@naturallyminnesota.org. A limited number of free student tickets (ID must be shown) are also available.

Question 11

How do I apply for a scholarship ticket?

Accepted Answer

We are offering scholarship tickets for those where price is a barrier, including just starting out entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations. To inquire about scholarships, please email info@naturallyminnesota.org. A limited number of free student tickets (ID must be shown) are also available.

Question 12

Tell me more about Minnesota's Food & Agriculture Industry.

Accepted Answer

Here are some key insights on Minnesota's Food & Ag Industry:

Fortune 500 companies including CHS, General Mills, Land O Lakes, Hormel Foods, C.H.Robinson, Ecolab, as well as Cargill, the largest privately owned company.

Additional corporate leaders include Schwan's, SunOpta, Post/Malt-O-Meal, Grainmillers, Syngenta, and more.

Minnesota is home to the largest food retail co-op network in the country in addition to Target and UNIF.

Successful entrepreneurial businesses such as Angie’s BoomChickaPop, 2 Gingers Whiskey, Belvedere Vodka, Talenti Gelato, and more have been launched and scaled here and Minnesota also has several entrepreneur accelerators, incubators, and support organizations including Techstars Farm to Fork, Bold Growth (AURI x Grow North via MBOLD), Lunar Startups, Greenseam, Finnovation Lab, and the Feast! Smart Start Program.

Minnesota has a diverse agriculture community and ranks 5th in total agricultural production, 4th in total agricultural exports, in the top 10 for green peas, sweet corn, oats, soybeans, honey, milk production, number of USDA certified organic farms, vegetable production and more.

Innovative not-for-profit leaders include Second Harvest Heartland, the largest food bank in the country, the Minneapolis School system which is pioneering innovation in school food and nutrition, the McKnight and Bush Foundations, and many more.

Question 13

How is Food. Ag. Ideas connected to Twin Cities Startup Week?

Accepted Answer

Food. Ag. Ideas usually follows Twin Cities Startup Week. Both initiatives work together to cross-promote events during the week, support each other's efforts, and accelerate Minnesota's entrepreneur and innovation ecosystem.

Question 14

How is this week different than other conferences or events?

Accepted Answer

While there are many events happening across the country and in Minnesota, what makes Food. Ag. Ideas Week unique is its diversity of topics and perspectives from across food and agriculture. We are bringing together corporate, non-profit, and civic leaders across industry leading topics within sustainable agriculture, food innovation, and tech and food and society. We see Food. Ag. Ideas Week, not just an event, but as a platform to catalyze connectivity and engagement with our community.

Question 15

Can I submit an event idea or session topic?

Accepted Answer

Additional event and speaker ideas can be shared with us at info@naturallyminnesota.org in the future.

Question 16

If I’m driving, where should I park?

Accepted Answer

There is street parking available near Machine Shop, and a spacious parking ramp just a few steps away.

Question 17

How is the content created for Food. Ag. Ideas?

Accepted Answer

Food. Ag. Ideas is an umbrella for a series of events and experiences developed in collaboration with our content and support partners. Grow North and all of the organizations putting on content during the Week work with a variety of partners to bring content to life. We strive to showcase a variety of speakers and perspectives from Minnesota and across the country at the sessions and events and to make each session thought-provoking, engaging, and designed for connectivity. Topics and speakers are selected in collaboration with our partners, advisors, and community leaders.

Question 18

How does the sponsorship process work?

Accepted Answer

Food. Ag. Ideas Week is made possible through the generosity of our support partners as well as our community. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are still available. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to info@naturallyminnesota.org.

Question 19

How do I ask for accommodations that will allow me to attend?

Accepted Answer

When you are registering for tickets, please make sure to answer the question regarding specific accommodations as we strive to make our events inclusive.

Question 20

Is childcare available at events?

Accepted Answer

Due to liability concerns, childcare will not be available for FAI.

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