What are the goals of the Green Ammonia Summit?

  • Share current science and technology of green fertilizer, including climate benefits;

  • Explore the relevance of green fertilizer toward corporate Scope 3 greenhouse gas inventory accounting as well as new low carbon-intensity fuel markets;

  • Identify opportunities for cooperative development and farmer ownership of green fertilizer production;

  • And develop multi-sector recommendations to support the expansion of green fertilizer production and use in Minnesota and beyond.

Wind Energy to Green Ammonia: Policy, Alignment, and Business Scale

Published in 2022 by Clean Energy Resource Teams, University of Minnesota West Central Research & Outreach Center, and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute. Click photo to view report.

Agenda

Please note that these pages are updated regularly. Check back often for the latest information.

Monday, Dec. 9

6:30 pm Opening Reception

Join for an opening dinner with guest speakers, former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp and Minnesota House Rep. Paul Anderson (12A), at the Prime Steakhouse. RSVP with registration.

Sponsored by MN Corn Growers Association and West Central Initiative.

Tuesday, Dec. 10

8:00 am Networking Breakfast

Join Summit stakeholders for a light breakfast, coffee, and tea for a chance to connect in Oyate Hall at the University of Minnesota Morris. Sponsored by M-RETS.

9:00 am Welcome and Opening Remarks

9:20 am Green Ammonia as a Strategy for Rural Development and Decarbonization

Pete Wyckoff, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Commerce

9:40 am Minnesota State Policy Panel

The panel will look at different ways Minnesota is supporting green ammonia production, and how policy leaders are thinking about how green ammonia fits into the larger state strategy for climate and rural livelihoods.

Moderator: Stu Lourey, Government Relations Director, Minnesota Farmers Union

Rep. Paul Anderson, District 12A, Co-Chair Agriculture Finance and Policy

Thom Petersen, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Pete Wyckoff, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Commerce

10:30 am Lightning Talks

Why Minnesota? Why now? Hear from leading experts about the decarbonization and rural vitality opportunities of green ammonia. These talks will also explore the science behind green ammonia, policy landscape, utilities and scaling technology.

Mike Reese, Green Ammonia Research Lead & Director of Operations, West Central Research and Outreach Center

Erin Heitkamp, VP of Supply Chain Development, Gevo

Jen King, Research Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Sheran Munasinghe, Senior Associate of Climate-Aligned Industries, Rocky Mountain Institute

12:00 pm Lunch and Farmer Fireside Chat

Hear from farmer leaders on the importance of locally produced, cooperatively owned farm inputs.

Moderator: Ariel Kagan, Director of Climate and Working Lands, Minnesota Farmers Union

Doug Albin, Farmer and Council Member, Minnesota Corn Growers Association

Harmon Wilts, President of H & G Farms LLC, Swift County

In the afternoon, attendees will dive deeper into the real-world implications of green ammonia through insights from policymakers, farmers, cooperatives, and private sector companies. There will also be panel discussions to address key topics such as building new markets and finance and ownership structures.

1:15 pm Private Sector Perspectives

The focus of this panel will be on the demand for low carbon feedstocks and climate-smart ingredients.

Moderator: Patrick Molloy, Principal of Climate-Aligned Industries, Rocky Mountain Institute

Courtney Hall, Director, International Business Development, Crop Nutrients Product Line, CHS

Tom Rabaey, Senior R&D Manager, General Mills

Brian Werner, Executive Director, Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association

2:00 pm Rural Development and the Cooperative Model

This panel will discuss the greater impacts of green energy transition for rural communities and the value of building these new green technologies out through the cooperative model.

Moderator: Katie Marty, Cooperative Director & Consultant, Collectivity

Al Hamen, CEO, Runestone Electric Association

Sen. Aric Putnam, District 14, Chair of the Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee

Ben Schrier, Mayor of Fergus Falls and Director of Civic Partnerships, West Central Initiative

3:00 pm The Bottom Line: Making Green Ammonia Projects Happen

This panel will explore the critical role of financing and project development play in advancing new low-carbon energy production.

Moderator: Pete Wyckoff, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Dept. of Commerce

Warrenn Anderson, Attorney, Fluegel, Anderson, McKlaughlin & Brutlag

Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, VP of External Affairs, Landus Ag Cooperative

Tom Traen, former General Manager of Glacial Ridge Cooperative

4:00 pm Closing Session

4:15 pm Closing Reception Happy Hour

Close with a toast to the possibilities and learning generated during the Summit. Sponsored by Fresh Energy and MN Bio-Fuels Association.

5:30 pm Adjourn

Are you interested in sponsoring the Summit?

Reach out to Ariel Kagan at ariel@mfu.org to learn more.